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1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

The  Publication  Committee  of  the  Caxton  Club 
certifies  that  this  copy  is  one  of  an  edition  of  two 
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was  done  from  type  which  has  been  distribu^'d;  and 
that  the  presswork  was  completed  in  the  month  of 
November,  mdcccxcviii. 


RELATION   OF  THE  DISCOVERY  OF 

THE  MISSISSIPI  RIVER  FROM  THE 

NARRATIVE  OF  NICOLAS 

DE  LA  SALLE 


Relation  of  the  Discovery  of 
the  Mississipi  River 

Written  from  t\i^  Narrative  of  "t^iQohk^ 

DE  La  Salle,  otherwise  known  as 

the  little  M.  de  La  Salle 


THE    TRANSLATION    DONE    BY 

MELVILLE   B.  ANDERSON 


CHICAGO 

THE  CAXTON  CLUB 

1898 


(1 


.    / 

US 


177118 


COPYRIGHT  BY  THE  CAXTON 

CLUB,    EIGHTEEN    HUNDRED 

AND    NINETY-EIGHT 


TRANSLATOR'S   NOTE 

,HK^^°T',  "^'"'f    '^"    narrative    evidently 
adhered  closely  to  the  rough  jottings  of  ^-iitde^ 

Nicolas  who  although  a  clerk  anf  presumably 
(like  Chaucer's  "hende  Nicolas")  fiandy  with 
the  pen,  was  perhaps  no  great  stylist.     L  this 
ranslation  but  one  deliberate  departure   from 
the  original  has  been  ventured  upon.     The?™ 
determinate  pronoun  .«,  which  is  used  through- 
put  and    which    makes    the    whole    narrative 
mpersonal,  has   been  rendered  throughoufby 
the  more  sympathetic  pronoun  we.     This  has 
been  done  because  the  continual  repeti^n  of 
/%  would  have  involved  the  whole  narrative  °n 
a  confusion  which  does  not  exist  in  the  orirind 
Ine   French   text   here    reprinted   is   tha?  of 

ten^^t^'T  '^^°"^  '^^  unsigned  notes 
the  ,KK  •  °''  fe"^  "°'^'  ^'^  distinguished  by 
the  abbreviation  Tr.  The  marginaf  notes  and 
dates  have  been  supplied  by  the  translator. 

M.  B.  A. 


asfew-ii-n 


i 


I, 


ir^^^^^i'^'^^mm 


wmm 


■■■Vi 


NARRATIVE  OF  NICOLAS 
DE  LA  SALLE 


Recit  de  Nicolas  de  La  Salle' 
1682. 


Relation  de  la  descouverte  que  M.  de  La  Salle  a 
faite  de  la  rivihre  de  Mississipi  en  1682^  et  de 
son  retourjusquh  ^'ebec. 

DE  Qu6bec  ^  Montreal,  soixante 
lieues,  et  une  isle  form^e  par  la 
rividre  de  Saint-Laurent  et  celle 
des  Outaouas,  qui  vient  du  nord-ouest ;  celle 
du  Saint-Laurent  vient  du  lac  des  Hurons, 
et  mesme  de  plus  loing. 

De  Montreal  au  fort  de  Frontenac,  soi- 
xante lieues.    II  y  a  cinq  portages.    Le  plus 
grand  est  d'une  lieue.     Le  fort  de  Fron- 
tenac 

'  Ce  Nicolas  de  La  Salle  est  le  meme  que  celui  qui 
remplit  les  fonctions  de  Commissaire  dans  le  premier 
etablissetnent  de  la  Louisiane,  de  1701  a  1709.  II 
n'avait  pas  de  lien  de  parente  avec  le  chef  de  I'entre- 
prise,  et  etait  fils,  si  je  ne  me  trompe,  d'un  Premier 
Commis  de  la  Marine,  devenu  en  1687  Commissaire 
general  des  galeres. 

L'auteur  du  rccueil  manuscrit  d'oii  ce  recit  a  ete 
extrait  a  mis  en  tete  cette  note:  "  J'ai  ecrit  cette  rela- 
tion en  1685  j  elle  me  fut  donnee  par  le  jeune  de  La 
Salle." 


iP\ 


Narrative  of  Nicolas  de  La  Salle* 

1682. 


Relation  of  the  Discovery  of  the  Mississipi  River 
by  M.  de  La  Salle  in  1682^  and  of  his  Return 
to  ^ebec. 

FROM  Quebec  to  Montreal,  sixty 
leagues,  and  an  island  formed  by  the 
River  St.  Lawrence  and  the  Ottawa, 
which  comes  from  the  northwest;  the  St. 
Lawrence  comes  from  the  lake  of  the 
Hurons,  and  even  from  beyond. 

From  Montreal  to  Fort  Frontenac,  sixty 
leagues.  There  are  five  portages.  The 
longest  is  of  one  league.  Fort  Frontenac 
is  a  square  with  four  bastions,  the  distance 

from 

""This  Nicolas  de  La  Salle  is  he  who  served  as 
Commissary  in  the  first  settlement  of  Louisiana,  from 
1 70 1  to  1709.  He  had  no  tie  of  relationship  with  the 
head  of  the  enterprise  and  was,  if  I  am  not  mistaken, 
the  son  of  a  Chief  Clerk  of  the  Marine,  who  became 
in  1687  Commissary  General  of  the  galleys. 

The  author  of  the  manuscript  collection  from 
which  this  narrative  is  drawn,  prefixed  the  following 
note:  ^' I  wrote  thi<!  relation  in  1685;  it  was  given 
me  by  young  de  La  Salle." 


!i 


'I 


t 


l\ 


( 


4  Recti  de  Nicolas  de  La  Salle. 

1681  tenac  est  un  quarr^  ^  quatre  bastions,  qui  a 
*^V\J  d'un  angle  flanqu6  2i  I'autre  quinze  toises. 
Les  trois  quarts  sont  de  ma9onnerie  de 
pierre  dure,  la  muraille  espaisse  de  trois 
pieds  et  haute  de  douze.  II  y  a  un  endroit 
qui  n'est  haut  que  de  quatre,  n'estant  pas 
achev6.  Le  reste  est  ferm6  de  pieux.  II  y 
a  dedans  une  maison  de  bois  esquarri  de 
cent  pieds  de  long.  II  y  a  encore  une  forge, 
un  corps  de  garde,  une  maison  pour  les 
officiers,  un  puits  et  une  estable  ^  vache. 
Les  fossez  sont  larges  de  quinze  pieds.  II  y 
a  quantity  de  terres  defrich^es  et  ensemen- 
c6es  aux  environs,  dans  lesquelles,  k  cent 
pas  ou  a  peu  prds,  il  y  a  une  grange  pour 
serrer  la  r6colte.  II  y  a  tout  proche  le  fort 
plusieurs  habitations  de  Fran9ois,  un  village 
d' Iroquois,  un  couvent  et  une  6glise  de  Re- 
collects. Ce  fort  est  situ6  sur  le  lac  de  Fron- 
tenac,  au  nord,  proche  la  descharge  de  ce 
lac  dans  le  fleuve  Saint-Laurent ;  le  pays  des 
cinq  nations  Iroquoises,  de  I'autre  cost6  du 
lac,  au  sud.  M.  de  La  Salle  a  plusieurs 
barques  au  port  de  ce  fort  qui  luy  appar- 
tient.  Les  canots  de  bouleau  ont  vingt 
pieds  de  long  et  trois  de  large;  les  escorces 
sont  cousues  ensemble  et  les  coutures  gom- 
mees.  II  y  a  des  varangues.  Un  homme 
ou  deux  en  peuvent  porter  un,  ce  qui  est 
fort  commode  pour  les  portages  ^  ces  en- 

droits. 


H\ 


Narrative  o/' Nicolas  de  La  Salle. 


1681 


from  one  flanked  angle  to  another  being 
fifteen  fathoms. 

Three-fourths  of  the  construction  is  of  Description 
hard  stone  masonry,  the  wall  being  three  ofFert 
feet  thick  and  twelve  feet  high.  In  one  "****"- 
place,  which  is  unfinished,  it  is  only  four 
feet  high.  The  rest  is  closed  in  with  piles. 
Inside  there  is  a  house  of  hewn  timber,  one 
hundred  feet  long.  There  is  also  a  forge, 
a  guard-house,  a  house  for  the  officers,  a 
well,  and  a  cow-stable.  The  moats  are 
fifteen  feet  wide.  There  is  in  the  neigh- 
borhood not  a  little  cleared  and  cultivated 
land,  upon  which,  at  a  distance  of  about  a 
hundred  paces,  is  a  grange  for  storing  the 
harvest.  Quite  near  the  Fort  there  are 
several  French  plantations,  an  Iroquois  vil- 
lage, a  convent  and  church  of  Recollet 
friars.  This  fort  is  situated  on  the  north 
side  of  Lake  Frontenac;  the  country  of 
the  five  Iroquois  nations  being  on  the  other 
side  of  the  Lake,  to  the  south.  M.  de  La 
Salle  has  several  small  vessels  in  the  harbor 
of  this  fort,  which  belongs  to  him.  The 
birch  canoes  are  twenty  feet  long  and  three  ^y^^^ 
wide;  the  strips  of  bark  are  sewn  together  canoes. 
and  the  seams  gummed.  There  are  ribs. 
One  man  or  two  can  carry  one  of  these 
canoes, — a  circumstance  which  facilitates 
the  portages  in  these  regions.  They  carry, 
1st,    the    merchandise;     2d,    the    canoe. 

Two 


i 


■ 


:a 


6  Recit  de  Nicolas  de  La  Salle. 

Automne  de  droits.  Ils  portent  lo  les  marchandises,  2° 
'^^''  le  canot.  Deux  hommes  sufHsent  pour 
naviguer  dans  un  canot.  II  peut  porter 
environ  douze  cents  pesant.  En  descen- 
dant on  saute  les  saults^  lorsqu'ils  ne  sont  pas 
fort  rudes;  mais  en  montant  il  faut  tou- 
jours  fairt  portage.  Les  marchandises  dont 
on  fait  trafic  avec  les  Sauvages  sont  tabac, 
rassade,  couteaux,  haches,  chaudidres^alesnes, 
chemises,  poudre,  plomb  et  fusils. 

Du  fort  de  Frontenac,  M.  de  La  Salle  se 
rendit  par  des  rividres  dans  le  lac  des  Hu- 
rons,  sans  passer  par  le  lac  £ri6.  II  cacha 
la  poudre  et  le  plomb  qu'il  avoit,  parce  que 
les  Iroquois  ne  veulent  pas  qu'on  en  porte 
aux  Illinois,  leurs  ennemys. 

Du  lac  Frontenac,  ils  se  rendirent  dans 
une  rividre,  puis  y  firent  portage  pour  se 
rendre  dans  une  autre  petite  riviere  nom- 
m6e  Taronto.  Elle  a  six  portages  et  elle 
tombe  dans  le  lac  des  Hurons. 

Dans  le  lac  des  Hurons  il  y  a  plusieurs 
isles,  entre  autres  une,  longue  de  trente 
lieues.  II  y  a  un  village  d'Outaouais.  II 
y  a  du  bled  d'Inde,  de  mesme  que  par  tous 
ces  pays. — De  ce  village  2i  Missilimakinak, 
quatre  vingts  lieues.  Du  lac  des  Hurons, 
ils  descendirent  dans  le  lac  des  Illinois.  De 
ce  lac,  en  faisant  un  portage  de  deux  lieues 

ou 


Ml 


Nar,aiive  o/*  Nicolas  de  La  Salle.  7 

Two  men  are  enough  to  navigate  a  canoe.  Fall  of 
It  can  carry  about  twelve  hundred  pounds  jf?!^, 
weight.  In  descending,  you  run  the  rap- 
ids when  they  are  not  too  rough;  but  in 
going  up  stream  the  portage  must  always 
be  made.  The  merchandise  used  for  traf- 
fic with  the  Savages  consists  in  tobacco, 
beads,  knives,  axes,  kettles,  awls,  shirts, 
powder,  lead,  and  guns. 

From  Fort  Frontenac  M.  de  La  Salle  y,. 
went  by  way  of  rivers  to  the  Lake  of  the  expedition. 
Hurons,  without    passing    by   Lake   Erie. 
He  concealed  the  powder  and  lead  that  he 
had,  as  the  Iroquois  will  not  have  them 
carried  to  their  enemies  the  Illinois. 

From  Lake  Frontenac  they  went  to  a 
river,  whence  they  made  a  portage  to  an- 
other small  river  named  Taronto.  It  has 
six  portages  and  flows  into  the  Lake  of  the 
Hurons. 

In  the  Lake  of  the   Hurons  there   are 
several  islands;  among  others  one  that  is 
thirty  leagues  long.     Here  is  an   Ottawa 
village.     There  is  Indian  corn,  as  every- 
where throughout   these  regions.  —  From 
this    village    to    Missilimakinak,     eighty 
leagues.     From  the  Lake  of  the  Hurons 
they  descended  into  the  Lake  of  the  Illi-  Jg^sl 
nois.    From  this  lake,  by  making  a  portage  Joseph  and 
of  two  leagues  or  another  of  one  league,  't^^""' 
one  reaches   the   Teatiqui    River,  leading 

to 


I\ 


'I     f 


8 


Recit  de  Nicolas  de  La  Salle. 


(!■ 


D6ceinbre,  ou  un  autre  d'une  lieue,  on  gagne  la  rivii^re 
»68i.     jjg  Xeatiqui,  laquelle  se  joint  ^  celle  des 

^^^^^  Illinois,  qui  se  rend  dans  le  Mississipi,  au 
34^  dcgr6  de  latitude.  M.  de  La  Salle 
menoit  avec  luy  vingt-deux  Fran9ois  et  un 
Recollect  nomm6  Pdre  Z6nobe.  II  avoit 
aussi  dix-huit  Sauvages  de  la  nation  des 
Loups,  qui  demeurent  proche  des  Anglois. 
II  les  avoit  trouvez  prds  le  lac  des  Illinois, 
lis  voulurent  bien  le  suivre,  moyennant  cent 
peaux  de  castor  chacun,  pour  chasser  et 
donner  aux  Fran9ois  la  moiti6  de  leur 
chasse.  Ces  dix-huit  Sauvages  avoient  sept 
femmes  avec  eux,  qui  firent  aussi  ce  voyage. 
M.  de  La  Salle  s6journa  douze  jours  ^ 
I'embouchure  de  la  rividre  des  Illinois  dans 
celle  du  Mississipi,  parce  que  la  rividre 
charrioit  des  glaces. — Pendant  ce  temps  les 
Sauvages  firent  des  canots  d'escorce  d'orme, 
parce  qu'ils  avoient  laiss6  les  leurs  dans  le 
lac  des  Illinois  et  estoient  venus  \  pied 
jusques  iJl. — C'estoit  en  D^cembre  1681. 

Enfin  on  descendit  le  Mississipi.  Le  pre- 
mier jour,  on  alia  cabaner  \  six  lieues  au 
cost6  droit,  proche  de  l''*'  ibouchure  d'une 
rividre  qui  tombe  dans  le  Mississipi  et  qui 
la  rend  fort  trouble  et  bourbeuse.  Elle  se 
nomme  la  rividre  des  Missouris.  Cette 
rividre  vient  du  nord-ouest.  Elle  est  fort 
peupl^e,  \  ce  que  disent  les  Sauvages.     Les 

Panis 


I 


h;S 


^J^VSJ 


Narrative  of  Nicolas  de  La  Sa  .le.  9 

to     the      Illinois,     which     flows      into     the  December, 

Mississipi  at  the  34th  degree  of  latitude.  '^^'' 
M.  de  La  Salle  took  with  him  twenty-two 
Frenchmen  and  one  Recollet  named  Father 
Z6nobe.  He  had  also  eighteen  Savages 
ot  the  Wolf  tribe,  who  dwell  near  the 
English.  He  had  found  them  near  the 
Lake  of  the  Illinois.  In  consideration  of 
a  hundred  beaver-skins  each,  they  agreed 
to  follow  him  as  hunters  and  to  give  the 
French  half  the  game  they  killed.  These 
eighteen  Savages  had  with  them  seven 
women,  who  also  made  the  journey. 

M.  de  La  Salle  remained  twelve  days  at 
the  junction  of  the  river  of  the  Illinois 
with  the  Mississipi,  because  the  river  was 
drifting  ice. — During  this  time  the  Savages 
made  canoes  of  elm-bark,  having  left  their 
own  in  the  lake  of  the  Illinois  and  having 
come  so  far  on  foot. — ^This  was  in  Decem- 
ber, 1 68 1. 

Finally  we  descended  the  Mississipi. 
The  first  day  we  went  six  leagues,  encamp- 
ing on  the  right  bank  near  the  mouth 
of  a  river  which  falls  into  the  Mississipi, 
making  it  very  turbid  and  muddy.  It  is 
named  the  river  of  the  Missouris.  This 
river  comes  from  the  northwest.  Accord- 
ing to  the  Savages,  it  flows  through  a  pop- 
ulous region.  The  Panis  are  upon  this 
river,  very  far  from  its  mouth. 

The 


The 

Missouri, 
turbid  and 
muddy. 


10 


Recit  de  Nicolas  de  La  Salle. 


Hiverde  Panis  sont,  sur  cette  rividre,  fort  loing  de 
'^^^'     son  embouchure. 


U^Y>J 


.     '! 


Le  lendemain,  ^  sept  lieues  de  1^,  sur  la 
rive  gauche,  en  descendant  le  Mississipi,  on 
trouva  un  village  nomm€  Tamaroa.  Les 
habitants  estoient  allez  ^  la  chasse. — Les 
Fran9ois  laissdrent  des  couteaux  et  de  la 
rassade  pendus  ^  une  perche  pour  faire  con- 
noistre  k  ces  Sauvages  que  leurs  amis 
avoient  pass6  par  iSi.  On  fut  cabaner  k  deux 
lieues  plus  loing  sur  la  rive  droite.  On  y 
resta  deux  jours.  On  y  tua  sept  bceufs, 
quatre  chevreuils  et  qiiantit6  de  poules 
d'Inde,  cygnes  et  outardes.  Le  pays  est 
beau.  Sur  le  bord  de  la  rividre  il  y  avoit 
des  noyers,  pruniers,  chesnes,  Arables,  ou  le 
pays  a  de  petits  costeaux  de  temps  en  temps 
et  une  grande  herbe  fine  comme  celle  de  nos 
prez.  II  y  faisoit  un  peu  froid,  mais  il  n'y 
avoit  ny  neige  ny  glace. 

Le  troisiesme  jour  on  alia  cabaner  envi- 
ron ^  dix  lieues  de  \\  dans  un  pays  fort  plat 
qui  noyoit  dans  les  desbordemens. 

Le  lendemain  on  alia  cabaner  sur  la  rive 
gauche.  En  cet  endroit  la  riviere  est  fort 
estroite,  estant  resserr^e  entre  deux  mon- 
tagnes,  et  dans  le  milieu  il  y  a  un  gros 
rocher  qui  forme  une  isle. — On  s6journa  la 
trois  jours  pour  chasser.     Le  pays  est  plein 

de 


h\  i  *{ 


rive 
fort 
tion- 
ros 
Ha  la 
lein 
de 


Narrative  o/*  Nicolas  de  La  Salle. 

The  next  day,  at  a  distance  of  seven 
leagues  farther  down,  we  found  on  the  left 
bank  a  village  named  Tamaroa.  The  in- 
habitants had  gone  away  hunting. — The 
French  left  knives  and  glass  beads  fastened 
to  a  pole  to  inform  these  Savages  that  their 
friends  had  passed  that  way.  We  encamped 
two  leagues  farther  down,  on  the  right 
bank,  remaining  there  two  days.  We  killed 
seven  bullocks,  four  deer,  and  a  number  of 
turkeys,  swans,  and  bustards.  The  country 
is  fine.  Along  the  river  there  were  walnut- 
trees,  plum-trees,  oaks,  maples;  again  there 
is  open  rolling  country  covered  with  tall 
fine  grass  like  that  of  our  fields.  It  was 
somewhat  cold,  but  there  was  neither  snow 
nor  ice. 

The  third  day  we  encamped  about  ten 
leagues  farther  down,  in  a  very  flat  coun- 
try subject  to  overflow. 

The  next  day  we  encamped  on  the  left 
bank.  Here  the  river  is  very  narrow, 
being  shut  in  between  two  mountains,  and 
in  the  middle  is  a  great  rock  forming  an 
island. — We  remained  here  three  days  in 
order  to  hunt.  The  country  is  rocky,  but 
in  the  interior  there  is  a  fine  country. 

The  fourth  day  we  departed  and  en- 
camped on  the  left,  about  fourteen  leagues 
below. — During  this  whole  day  the  river 
was  shut  in  on  the  right  and  on  the  left  by 

mountains 


II 

Winter  of 
1682. 

A  letter 
to  the 
Tamaroas. 


The  river 
shut  in 
between 
mountains. 


"*:< 


f 


t. t  %ja 


12 


Recit  de  Nicolas  de  La  Salle. 


U 


I 


Hiver  de  de  rochers,  mais  dans  les  terres  c'est  un  beau 
'^^*-     pays. 

Le  quatriesme  jour  on  partit  et  on  fut 
cabaner  ^  gauche,  \  environ  quatorze  lieues 
de  1^. — Pendant  tout  ce  jour  la  rividre  estoit 
bord6e  ^  droite  et  ^  gauche  de  montagnes, 
il  y  avoit  sur  le  bord  de  la  rividre  quantity 
de  Cannes. 

Le  lendemain,  aprds  avoir  fait  onze  lieues, 
le  soir,  ^  une  heure  de  soleil,  on  rencontra 
k  gauche  I'embouchure  de  la  rividre  de 
Saint-Louis  ou  de  Ouabache,  ou  bien  de 
Chicagoua.  Cette  riviire  qui  vient  du  pays 
des  Iroquois  avoit  fait  croire  qu*en  la  suivant, 
on  pourroit  trouver  un  passage  pour  la  Chine. 
On  fit  encore  une  lieue  et  on  cabana  \  droite, 
vis-k-vis  I'embouchure  de  Ouabache. 

Les  Cicaca  ou  Chicacha  sont  au  sud  de 
cette  rividre,  assez  loing  de  son  embouchure. 
Le  pays  oit  on  cabana  estoit  plat  et  remply 
de  grands  bois,  comme  ormes  et  autres  sem- 
blables. 

Le  lendemain,  aprds  avoir  fait  six  lieues, 
on  vit  sur  la  gauche  des  costeaux  qui  s'6le- 
voient  en  s'esloignant  de  la  rividre.  Cette 
terre  est  rouge,  ce  qui  paroissoit  par  les 
ravines  de  ces  costeaux.  On  alia  cabaner  \ 
cinq  lieues  de  1^,  \  gauche,  aprds  avoir  pass6 
deux  isles;  la  premidre  a  une  lieue  de  long 

et 


■^ 


Narrative  o/* Nicolas  de  La  Salle. 


13 


mountains,  and  upon  the  banks  were  quan-  Winter  of 
titles  of  cane.  ci^Ji  i 

The  next  day  after  making  eleven  leagues, 
in  the  afternoon,  within  an  hour  of  sunset,  , 

we  discovered  on  the  left  the  mouth  of  the 
St.  Louis  River,  or  the  Wabash,  or  perhaps 
the  Chicago.      Of  this  river,  which  comes  jf^  passage 
from  the  country  of  the  Iroquois,  the  belief  bad  to  China 
been  held  that,  by  following  it,  a  passage  to  J-^  ^qi,'{ 
China  might  be  discovered.     We  made  an-  juvtr. 
other  league  and  encamped  on  the  right, 
opposite  the  mouth  of  the  Wabash. 

The  Chickasaws  are  south  of  this  river, 
some  distance  from  its  mouth.  The  coun- 
try where  we  encamped  was  low  and 
wooded  with  great  trees,  as  elms  and  the 
like. 

The  next  day,  having  made  six  leagues, 
we  saw  on  the  left  hills  running  back  from 
the  river.  This  soil  is  red,  as  appeared 
from  the  ravines  in  these  hills.  We  en- 
camped five  leagues  farther  down,  on  the 
left,  after  having  passed  two  islands:  the  islands. 
first  a  league  in  length  and  a  quarter  of  a 
league  in  width;  the  second  a  league  in 
circumference;  the  country  the  same  as 
before. 

The  next  day,  the  wind  being  favorable, 
we  made  twenty  leagues,  in  order  to  find 
a  higher  country  for  hunting.  We  en- 
camped on  the  left,  at  a  place  where  the 

river 


r 


n 


r 

f   .  . 

hi' 


II) 


I'f 


H 


Recit  de  Nicolas  de  La  Salle. 


Hiver  de   et  un  quart  de  large,  la  seconde  a  une  l^'eue 
'^^*-     de  tour;  pays  comme  le  pr6c6dent. 


OO^V) 


Le  lendemain,  pour  trouver  un  pays  haut 
pour  la  chasse,  on  fit  vingt  lieues,  parce  que 
le  vent  estoit  favorable.  On  cabana  ^  la 
gauche,  dans  un  endroit  oCi  la  rividre  fait 
une  grande  anse  et  devant  une  isle  qui  a 
une  lieue  de  long  et  trois  quarts  de  large. 
On  s6journa  un  jour  ^  cause  de  la  pluye  et 
du  vent  contraire.  Faute  de  vivres,  il  fallut 
jeusner. 

Le  second  jour,  le  beau  temps  venu,  on 
partit,  et  aprds  avoir  fait  sept  lieues,  le 
canot  de  M.  de  Tonty  creva  en  passant  sur 
un  arbre  qui  estoit  dans  I'eau  et  que  Ton  ne 
voyoit  pas,  tant  I'eau  est  trouble.  Aprds 
avoir  raccommod6  le  canot,  on  continua  la 
route,  et  aprds  avoir  fait  cinq  lieues,  tous- 
jours  des  costeaux  k  sa  gauche,  on  cabana. — 
Les  Loups  alldrent  a  la  chasse,  et  appor- 
tferent  sept  chevreuils  qui  firent  grand  bien. 
II  y  avoit  quinze  jours  que  Ton  jeusnait 
faute  de  vivres.  Le  lendemain  les  Fran9ois 
alldrent  ^  la  chasse  avec  les  Loups.  Un 
Fran9ois,  nomm6  Prudhomme,  armurier, 
s'escarta.  On  le  chercha  pendant  dix  jours, 
et  enfin  on  le  vit  revenir  sur  la  rividre,  sur 
un  morceau  de  bois  qu'il  avoit  pouss6  au 
large.  II  n'avoit  point  mang6  pendant  ces 
dix  jours.     M.  de  La  Salle  fit  faire  une 

redoute 


■ 


I 


K^i 


Narrative  of  Nicolas  de  La  Salle.  i  5 


on 


1901s 

Un 

trier, 

ours, 

sur 

:  au 

ces 

une 

oute 


river  makes  a  great  bend,  and  over  against 
an  island  a  league  in  length  and  three- 
quarters  of  a  league  in  width.  On  account 
of  rain  and  a  head  wind,  we  stayed  there  a 
day.  For  want  of  provisions,  we  were 
compelled  to  fast. 

On  the  second  day,  the  fine  weather 
having  returned,  we  set  out,  and,  when  we 
had  made  seven  leagues,  M.  de  Tonty's 
canoe  was  staved  in  by  a  tree  in  the  water, 
which  was  so  turbid  that  the  obstacle  was 
not  seen.  The  canoe  having  been  repaired, 
we  continued  on  our  way,  always  with  hills 
on  the  left,  and,  having  made  five  leagues 
more,  we  encamped. — The  Wolf  Indians 
went  hunting  and  returned  with  seven  deer, 
which  did  us  much  good.  For  want  of 
provisions,  we  had  been  fasting  for  a  fort- 
night. On  the  following  day  the  French- 
men went  hunting  with  the  Wolf  Indians. 
A  Frenchman  named  Prudhomme,  an 
armorer,  got  lost.  For  ten  days  search 
was  made  for  him,  and  he  was  finally  found 
floating  down  the  river  upon  a  piece  of 
wood  which  he  had  pushed  into  the  stream. 
During  these  ten  days  he  had  eaten  noth- 
ing. M.  de  La  Salle  had  a  block  house 
built  for  security  while  searching  for  this 
Frenchman.  He  named  it  Fort  Prud- 
homme. While  on  the  search  we  discov- 
ered the  footprints  of  Savages,  beaten  paths, 

and 


Winter  of 
1683. 


Tonty 
strikes  a 
snag. 


Prud. 

hammers 

adventure. 


««■ 


1 6 


Recit  de  Nicolas  de  La  Salle. 


Mi; 


% 


w 


w 


Hiverde  rcdoute  de  bois  pour  se  mettre  en  seuret6 
1682.  lorsque  Ton  cherchoit  ce  Fran9ois.  II 
nomma  ce  fort  le  fort  Prudhomme.  En  le 
cherchant  on  descouvrit  des  pistes  de  Sau- 
vages,  des  chemins  battus  et  mesme  une 
cabane  de  Sauvages  qui  s'enfuirent.  Un 
jour,  le  sieur  Barbier  en  amena  deux.  lis 
dirent  qu'ils  estoient  Chicacha.  On  leur  fit 
des  pr^sens. 

Le  lendemain,  M.  de  Tonty  alia  cabaner 
k  dix  lieues  de  1^,  ^  I'embouchure  d'une 
petite  rividre  que  les  Chicacha  appellent 
Chicacha.  M.  de  La  Salle,  avec  les  Loups, 
estoit  demeur6  pour  chasser.  lis  tu^rent 
dix-huit  chevreuils,  et  le  lendemain  il  vint 
joindre  M.  de  Tonty,  qui  avoit  veu,  proche 
la  petite  rividre,  des  costeaux  pleins  d'arbres, 
comme  lauriers,  meuriers  et  chesnes. 

Le  lendemain,  tous  ensemble  furent  ca- 
baner ^  douze  lieues  de  1^,  ^  la  droite.  II 
y  a  des  costeaux.  On  s^journa  un  jour 
ensemble  pour  chasser.  On  tua  un  ours 
fort  puissant.  Un  des  deux  Chicacha  voulut 
demeurer  avec  les  Fran9ois,  quoyqu'on  luy 
dist  qu'il  pouvoit  s'en  aller.  On  avoit  ren- 
voy6  I'autre  vers  ses  gens,  aussitost  aprds  sa 
prise,  avec  des  pr6sens,  pour  s9avoir  si  le 
Fran9ois  esgar6  n'estoit  point  avec  eux,  et 
le  Chicacha  ne  revint  point.    Mais  I'autre, 

qui 


Narrative  o/* Nicolas  de  La  Salle.  17 

and  even  a  lodge  from  which  the  Savages  Winter  of 
took  flight.     One  day   the  Sieur  Barbier     '^**- 
brought  in  two  who  said  they  were  Chick-  ^^^^^ 
asaws.     We  made  them  presents. 

The  next  day  M.  de  Tonty  went  ten  ^^^ 
leagues  farther  down,   encamping  at  the  cbuka- 
mouth  of  a  small  river  which  the  Chick-  '"""* 
asaws  call   Chickasaw.     M.  de  La  Salle, 
with  the  Wolf  Indians,  had  remained  to 
hunt.     They  killed  eighteen  deer;  the  fol- 
lowing day  he  rejoined  M.  de  Tonty,  who 
had  seen,  near  the  little  river,  hills  covered 
with  trees  such  as  laurel,  mulberry,  and  oak. 

The  next  day  all    encamped    together 
twelve  leagues  farther  down  on  the  right. 
Here  there  are  hills.     We  remained  a  day 
in  order  to  hunt,  and  killed  a  mighty  bear. 
One  of  the   two    Chickasaws    wished    to  jsmt- 
remain  with  the  Frenchmen,  although  he  hearted 
was  told  that  he  was  free  to  go  away.    The  ^^'/^^'^ 
other  one  had  been  sent  back  with  presents 
to  his  people,  soon  after  his  capture,  to  find 
out  whether  the  lost  Frenchman  was  not 
with   them,   and  had   not  returned.     But 
this    one  who   was   a  little,   elderly  man, 
and  very   resolute,   wished  to   follow   the 
Frenchmen. 

The  next  day  we  encamped  eight  leagues 
far<^ber  down  on  the  right.  This  country 
is  subject  to  overflow. 

On  the  next  day,  after  having  made  six 

leagues. 


^S 


1"» 

I 'I 

;*1 


MK 


i 

;■(     i 
n 


I  'J  *«' 

1 


i8 

Mars, 
1682. 


Recit  de  Nicolas  de  La  Salle. 

qui  estoit  un  petit  homme  assez  ag6,  fort 
r6solu,  voulut  suivre  les  Fran9ois. 

Le  lendemain,  on  fut  cabaner  a  huit 
lieues  sur  la  droite.  Ce  pays  est  noy6  dans 
les  desbordemens. 

Le  lendemain,  aprds  avoir  fait  six  lieues, 
d'une  grande  brume,  on  entendit  des  cris 
sur  la  droite.  Le  Chicacha  dit  que  c'estoit 
un  village  d'Akansa  sur  le  bord  de  la  rividre. 
M.  de  La  Salle  alia  sur  I'autre  coste  de  la 
rividre  pour  se  retrancher  en  cas  d'attaque. 
Les  Akansa  creurent  que  c'estoient  leurs  en- 
nemis.  lis  envoydrent  dehors  leurs  femmes 
et  enfans.  Dans  ce  temps  la  brume  cessa, 
et  un  canot  des  Akansa  vint  aux  Fran- 
9ois  k  la  portee  de  la  flesche.  lis  en  tirerent 
une.  Si  on  leur  en  eust  tire  aussi,  c'estoit 
signe  qu'on  demandoit  la  guerre;  mais 
voyant  qu'on  ne  leur  en  tiroit  point,  ils 
I'alldrent  dire  a  leur  village  et  que  c'estoient 
des  gens  de  paix.  Le  chef  envoya  un  autre 
canot  avec  six  hommes  et  le  calumet.  lis 
entrdrent  dans  le  retranchement  et  present- 
6rent  k  fumer  a  M.  de  La  Salle  et  ^  tous  les 
autres,  et  lirent  signe  qu'on  allast  a  leur  vil- 
lage. On  fut  fort  bien  receu.  Ils  firent 
festin.  Le  lendemain  ils  danserent  le  calu- 
met. Pour  danser  le  calumet,  ils  viennent 
tous  sur  la  place,  principalement  les  guerriers, 
et  les  chefs  mettent  des  perches  tout  autour 

comme 


Narrative  o/' Nicolas  de  La  Salle. 

leagues,  we  heard  shouts  upon  the  right. 
The  Chickasaw  said  that  it  was  a  village  of 
Akansas  on  the  bank  of  the  river.  M.  de 
La  Salle  landed  on  the  opposite  bank  to 
entrench  himself  for  fear  of  attack.  The 
Akansas,  thinking  their  enemies  were  upon 
them,  sent  away  their  women  and  children. 
Meanwhile  the  fog  lifted,  and  an  Akansa 
canoe  came  within  bow-shot  of  the  French- 
men. They  shot  an  arrow.  Had  the  shot 
been  returned,  it  would  have  been  a  signal 
that  we  meant  war;  but,  seeing  that  we  did 
not  shoot,  they  went  back  to  their  village 
and  reported  us  to  be  men  of  peace.  The 
chief  sent  a  second  canoe  with  six  men  and 
the  calumet.  They  entered  the  entrench- 
ment and  offered  the  calumet  to  M.  de  La 
Salle  and  to  all  the  others,  and  made  signs 
that  we  should  go  to  their  village.  We 
were  well  received  and  feasted.  The  fol- 
lowing day  they  danced  the  calumet.  In 
order  to  dance  the  calumet  they  all  come 
intO/  the  place,  especially  the  warriors,  and 
the  chiefs  set  poles  all  about,  as  for  drying 
linen,  and  upon  them  display  what  they 
intend  to  give.  They  brought  two  calumets 
adorned  with  plumage  of  all  colors,  and  red 
stones  full  of  tobacco. — These  were  given 
to  the  chiefs,  who  were  in  the  middle  of 
the  place.  These  chiefs  and  the  warriors 
have  gourds  full  of  pebbles  and  two  drums, 

which 


19 

March, 
1682. 


The  alarm 
of  the 
Akansas, 


t  I 


The 

Calumet 
Dance. 


\^U 


20 

Mars, 
1682. 


Recti  de  Nicolas  de  La  Salle. 

comme  quand  on  veut  faire  s6cher  du  linge, 
arrangent  dessus  tout  ce  qu'ils  veulent  don- 
ner.  lis  apportdrent  deux  calumets  de  plu- 
mage de  toutes  couleurs  et  des  pierres  rouges 
pleines  de  tabac. — On  les  donna  aux  chefs 
qui  estoient  au  milieu  de  la  place.  Ces 
chefs  et  les  guerriers  ont  des  gourdes  pleines 
de  cailloux  et  deux  tambours.  Ce  sont  des 
pots  de  terre  couverts  d'une  peau  pass6e. 
Les  premiers  commencerent  une  chanson 
qu'ils  accompagnerent  du  carillon  de  leurs 
gourdes.  Ceux-la  ayant  fini,  d'autres  re- 
commenc^rent  la  mesme  chose,  puis  ceux 
qui  ont  fait  de  belles  actions  vont  frapper 
avec  un  casse-teste  un  poteau  plant6  au 
milieu  de  la  place.  Et  ayant  conte  leurs 
prouesses,  ils  donndrent  des  presens  a  M.  de 
La  Salle  pour  qui  ils  faisoient  la  feste.  Si 
quelqu'un  en  frappant  disoit  des  menteries, 
celuy  qui  le  s9auroit  iroit  avec  une  peau 
essuyer  le  poteau,  et  diroit  qu'il  essuye  la 
menterie. 

Pendant  cela,  les  chefs  fument  dans  le 
calumet  et  le  font  porter  a  tout  le  monde  Jl 
la  ronde  pour  y  fumer.  M.  de  La  Salle 
receut  cinquante  ou  soixante  peaux  de 
bceufs.  Les  Fran9ois,  excepte  M.  de  La 
Salle,  alldrent  frapper  au  poteau,  et  contdrent 
ieurs  prouesses,  et  firent  leurs  presens  de  ce 

que 


Iv  < 


Narrative  of  Nicolas  de  La  Salle.  2 1 


ii 


LS  le 
ide^ 
;alle 
de 
La 
jrent 
[e  ce 
que 


March, 
1682. 

'•VXJ 


which  are  earthen  pots  covered  with  dressed 
skin.  The  first  hegan  a  song  accompanied 
by  the  chime  of  their  gourds.  These  hav- 
ing ended,  others  struck  up  the  same  thing; 
then  those  who  have  done  brave  deeds  go 
to  a  post  set  in  the  midst  of  the  place  and 
smite  it  with  their  tomahawks.  And,  after 
relating  their  gallant  achievements,  they 
gave  presents  to  M.  de  La  Salle,  for  whom 
they  made  the  festival.  If  anyone  striking 
the  post  told  lying  stories,  he  who  knew  it 
would  go  to  the  post  and  wipe  it  with  a  Ug„  ^^^ 
skin,  saying  that  he  was  wiping  away  the  Akansas 

ijg  discouraged 

Meanwhile  the  chiefs  are  smoking  the 
calumet  and  are  having  it  carried  to  every- 
one in  succession  to  smoke.  M.  de  La 
Salle  received  fifty  or  sixty  oxhides.  The 
Frenchmen,  with  the  exception  of  M.  de 
La  Salle,  also  struck  the  post,  related  their 
valorous  deeds,  and  made  gifts  from  that 
which  M.  de  La  Salle  had  given  them  for 
that  purpose. 

The  Akansas  said  that  they  had  four  vil- 
lages, and  showed  by  signs  where  they 
were.  We  found  among  them  an  Illinois 
slave,  who  served  as  interpreter.  He  told 
us  they  ere  called  Akansa.  They  go 
quite  nude,  like  all  the  other  nations.  They 
made  gifts  to  the  French  of  maize,  of  beans, 
and  of  a  quantity  of  dried  fruits,  such  as 

medlars. 


22 


Recit  de  Nicolas  de  La  Salle. 


,1 


<A 


i 


i 


^i  VI 


1'^ 

in 


■  fi'. 


Mars, 
1682. 


que  M.  de  La  Salle  leur  avoit  donn6  pour 
cela. 

Les  Akansa  dirent  qu'ils  estoient  quatre 
villages,  et  montrdrent  par  signes  oCi  ils 
estoient.  On  trouva  parmi  eux  un  esclave 
Illinois  qui  servit  de  truchement.  II  dit 
qu'ils  se  nommoient  Akansa.  lis  sont  tout 
nuds  comme  toutes  les  autres  nations.  lis 
firent  pr6sent  aux  Fran9ois  de  mahis,  de 
feves  et  de  quantity  de  fruits  sees,  comme 
nefles,  prunes,  raisins  pour  breuvage.  lis 
6crasent  ces  raisins  dans  Teau  et  le  don- 
nent  ^  boire.  On  demeura  les  trois  jours 
parmi  eux.  On  y  planta  les  armes  du  Roy. 
On  chanta  le  TV  Deum  et  on  fit  trois  des- 
charges  de  fusils.  Ce  sont  de  bonnes  gens 
qui  ne  S9avoient  quelle  chose  faire  aux 
Fran9ois. 

Le  pays  est  bon,  un  peu  elev6,  plein  de 
grands  arbres,  comme  ormes,  peschers, 
pruniers,  meuriers,  etc.,  dont  on  ne  S9ait 
pas  le  nom.  C'estoit  dans  le  mois  de  Mars 
que  cela  se  passa;  I'air  avait  une  odeur  suave. 
Les  peschers  estoient  en  fleurs. 

Le  quatriesme  jour  on  partit.  Les  Akansa 
vinrent  conduire  les  Fran9ois  jusqu'au  bord 
de  I'eau,  en  leur  passant  la  main  sur  le 
corps.  C'est  leur  caresse.  lis  leur  disoient 
de  prendre  courage.  lis  leur  donnerent  deux 
des  leurs  pour  les  conduire  chez  leurs  alliez. 

lis 


'i 


W*    '    .: 


insa 
>ord 
ir  le 
lient 
leux 
liez. 
lis 


Narrative  o/*  Nicolas  de  La  Salle. 

medlars,  plums,  and  raisins  for  beverage. 
They  make  a  drink  by  crushing  these 
raisins  in  water.  We  stayed  among  them 
three  days.  We  set  up  the  king's  arms, 
singing  the  TV  Deum,  and  discharging  three 
volleys  of  musketry.  These  are  good  folk 
who  were  willing  to  do  anything  for  the 
French. 

The  country  is  good,  somewhat  high, 
abounding  in  great  trees,  such  as  the  elm, 
the  peach,  the  plum,  the  mulberry,  and 
others  of  unknown  names.  It  was  in  the 
month  of  March  that  this  took  place;  a 
sweet  breath  was  in  the  air;  the  peach  trees 
were  in  bloom. 

The  fourth  day  we  departed.  The 
Akansas  escorted  us  to  the  water's  edge, 
passing  their  hands  over  our  bodies.  This 
is  their  caress,  signifying  that  we  should 
take  courage.  They  gave  us  two  of  their 
men  to  guide  us  to  their  allies.  They  did 
not  molest  the  Chickasaws,*  though  these 
two  nations  are  at  war.  We  made  about 
eight  leagues  and  saw  an  Akansa  village  on 
the  left.  They  were  all  away  hunting. 
We  made  six  leagues  more  and  reached  the 
river  named  Akansa.  Here  is  another 
Akansa  village,  where  we  encamped.    They 

gave 

*Only  one  Chickasaw  has  been  mentioned  as 
accompanying  the  party. — Tr. 


23 

March, 
1682. 


Kindness 
of  the 
Akansas. 


'U; 


Their 
caresses. 


PS 

i 


vl! 


The 

second 

Akansa 

village. 


ii 


-«^■».^■  y.»i«aiy»w"T»M»«i.«wt*«'r.. 


*  V%Mv«    a^^^A^^ 


■v,i 


I 


U 


24 

Mars, 
1682. 


Recit  de  Nicolas  de  La  Salle. 

lis  ne  firent  point  de  mal  aux  Chicacha, 
quoyque  ces  deux  nations  ayent  guerre.  On 
fit  environ  huit  lieues,  et  sur  la  gauche  on 
trouva  '">  village  d'Akansa.  lis  estoient 
tous  ^  la  chasse.  On  fit  encore  six  lieues, 
et  on  arriva  ^  la  riviere  qui  se  nomme 
Akansa.  II  y  a  encore  un  village  d'Akansa, 
on  y  coucha.  lis  receurent  fort  bien  les 
Fran9ois,  les  pridrent  de  rester  pour  danser 
le  ca'iumet;  mais  on  les  remercia,  et  on 
partit  le  lendemain  de  bon  matin. 

Le  lendemain,  on  ne  fit  que  quatre  lieues 
^  cause  d'un  grand  vent  de  sud  qui  obligea 
de  cabaner  k  la  gauche,  en  un  endroit  qui 
noye.  II  y  avoit  quantity  de  petits  trem- 
bles. Le  vent  cessa,  et  sur  les  six  heures 
du  soir  on  partit  au  clair  de  la  lune..  A  la 
pointe  du  jour  on  avoit  fait  dix  lieues.  On 
se  reposa  jusqu'Jl  environ  dix  heures  dans 
une  isle  longue  d'une  lieue  et  large  de 
demi-lieue,  terrain  qui  noye  et  qui  a  de 
petits  arbres  trembles.  On  partit  sur  les 
dix  heures  du  matin.  Apres  avoir  fait  en- 
viron sept  lieues,  on  cabana  sur  les  six  heures 
du  soir  dans  une  tres-belle  isle  plate,  longue 
de  deux  lieues  et  large  de  demi-lieue,  pleine 
de  meuriers,  l^uriers  et  autres  grands  bois. 
On  fit  un  abbatis  de  bois  autour  de  soy, 
crainte  de  surprise  par  les  Sauvages. 

Le  lendemain,  on  partit  a  cinq  heures  du 

matin. 


'■A 


Narrative  of  Nicolas  de  La  Salle. 


25 


en- 
jures 

igue 
leine 
Ibois. 

soy, 

:sdu 
Latin. 


gave  the  Frenchmen  a  good  reception,  beg-    March, 
gingthem  to  remain  to  dance  the  calumet;     '68*' 
but  we  thanked  them  and  set  forth  early  ^^^»^' 
the  next  morning. 

That  day  we  made  only  four  leagues, 
because  of  a  strong  south  wind  which  forced 
us  to  encamp  on  the  left  upon  bottom  land, 
where  there  were  many  small  aspens.  The 
wind  fell  and,  at  about  six  o'clock  in  the 
evening,  we  set  forward  by  moonlight.  2V» 
By  daybreak  we  had  made  ten  leagues,  leagues  by 
We  rested  until  about  ten  o'clock  upon  an  """"^'i^*- 
island  a  league  in  length  and  half  a  league 
in  width,  subject  to  overflow  and  covered 
with  small  aspens.  About  ten  in  the  morn- 
ing we  set  forth  again.  After  having  made 
about  seven  leagues,  we  encamped  at  about 
six  in  the  evening  upon  a  fine  level  island, 
two  leagues  in  length  and  a  half-league  in 
width,  covered  with  mulberry-trees,  laurels, 
and  other  large  trees.  We  made  an  abatis 
of  wood  around  us,  for  fear  of  surprise  by 
the  Savages. 

The  next  day  we  set  out  at  five  in  the 
morning.  After  making  about  five  leagues, 
we  killed  two  deer  which  were  crossing 
the  river.  W^e  landed,  skinned  them,  then, 
reembarking,  made  four  leagues  more. 
The  two  Akansas  wished  us  to  take  the  left  j^^ny 
branch  (at  this  point  the  river  forms  three  large 
very  large  islands)  in  order  to  make  war  '"''"'^^■ 

upon 


1 


i! 


''i\ 


\ 


t 


.fmuf'vmmt,^ 


i6 


Recti  de  Nicolas  de  La  Salle. 


\  \ 


I 


Mars, 
1682. 


l»i 


matin.  Aprds  environ  cinq  lieues,  on  tua 
deux  chevreuils  qui  passdrent  la  rividre.  On 
mit  pied  ^  terre.  On  les  escorcha,  puis, 
ayant  rembarqu6,  on  fit  encore  quatre  lieues. 
Les  deux  Akansa  vouloient  qu'on  prist  sur 
la  gauche  (la  rividre  fait  1^  trois  fort  grandes 
isles)  pour  aller  faire  la  guerre  aux  Tonica, 
leurs  ennemis,  qui  y  ont  un  village.  Mais 
M.  de  La  Salle  ne  voulut  point  aller  par  ce 
cost6,  ne  voulant  point  de  guerre  avec  qui 
que  ce  soit. — Les  deux  Akansa  dirent  que 
sur  cette  branche  gauche  du  Mississipi,  il  y 
avoit  encore  d'autres  nations.  On  fit  en- 
core quatre  lieues  ce  mesme  jour  sur  la 
branche  droite  du  Mississipi.  On  cabana 
sur  le  bord  des  costeaux,  a  gauche.  On  ne 
put  aller  ^  la  chasse,  le  pays  estant  noye 
entre  la  rividre  et  les  costeaux. 

Le  lendemain,  ayant  fait  six  lieues,  la 
riviere  toujours  bord6e  de  grands  arbres, 
quoyque  ce  pays  noye,  M.  de  La  Salle  tua 
un  cocodrille  [sic).  On  le  mangea,  et  ^ 
sept  lieues  de  1^,  on  fut  cabaner.  On  fit 
festin  avec  le  cocodrille,  qui  sembla  fort 
bon.  On  estoit  cabane  dans  une  isle  pareille 
^  la  prec6dente.  On  y  fit  aussi  un  abbatis 
de  bois.  La  riviere  serpente  fort  en  cet 
endroit,  de  sorte  qu'on  estoit  fort  peu  es- 
loigne  du  lieu  d'oCi  Ton  estoit  parti. 

Le 


;  . 


H' 


'} 


I  '\ 


♦;.va 


la 
res, 
tua 
t  a 

fit 
ort 
iUe 
atis 

cet 

es- 

Le 


Narrative  of  Nicolas  de  La  Salle.  27 

upon  their  enemies,  the  Tonicas,  who  have   March, 
a  village  there.    But  M.  de  La  Salle  vi^ould  -ifj^ 
not  go  that  way,  not  wishing  to  have  war  ^'^^'^ 
with  anyone  whatever. — The  two  Akansas 
told  us  that  upon  this  left  branch  of  the 
Mississipi    there  were  still    other    nations. 
That    same    day    we    made    four    leagues 
more  on  the  right  branch   of  the  Missis- 
sipi.    We  encamped  on    the  side  of  the 
bluffs,  on  the  left.    We  could  not  go  hunt- 
ing, the  country  being  overflowed  between 
the  river  and  the  blufl?s. 

The  following  day  when  we  had  made 
six    leagues, — the    river  being   constantly 
bordered  with   large   trees,   although    the 
country  is  subject  to  inundation, — M.  de 
La  Salle  killed  an  alligator.*     We  ate  it,  ^y^^j, 
encamping  seven  leagues  farther  on.     We  upon  ain- 
made    a   feast   upon   the   alligator,  which  i"*'"'-^''^*' 
tasted   very    good.     Our  camp  was   upon 
an  island  like  the  preceding  one,  and  again 
we  made  an   abatis  of  wood.     Here  the 
river  winds  so  much  that  we  were  not  far 
from  the  place  whence  we  had  started. 

The  next  day,  after  making  eight 
leagues,  we  killed  an  alligator.  We  put  it 
into  a  boat;  then,  after  making  six  leagues, 
we  encamped  at  a  bend  upon  the  right. 

The 

'''I  do  not  attempt  to  render  the  metathesis  of  the 
author,  who  writes  cocodrille. — Tr. 


li 


MS 


\\ 


i 


)  \\ 


i 

a8 

Mars, 

1682. 

V 


1 ' 


Recit  de  Nicolas  de  La  Salle. 

Le  lendemain,  aprds  huit  lieues,  on  tua 
un  cocodrille  (sic).  On  Tembarqua,  puis 
aprds  encore  six  lieues,  on  cabana  dans  une 
anse,  sur  la  droite.  Les  Akansa  dirent 
qu'il  y  avoit  1^  une  nation  de  leurs  alliez 
nommez  les  Tinsa.  Dans  cette  anse,  il  y 
a  un  petit  ruisseau  qui  a  communication 
avec  un  lac  qui  en  est  esloign^  peut  estre 
d'un  quart  de  lieue.  Ce  lac  a  la  figure  du 
croissant.  Le  village  des  Tinsa  est  sur  ce 
lac.  M.  de  La  Salle  y  envoya  trois  Fran9ois 
avec  les  Akansa.  lis  furent  bien  receus. — 
Le  chef  du  village  envoya  vingt  canots  avec 
des  vivres,  comme  mahis  et  fruits  sees,  du 
sel.  II  y  avoit  aussi  des  figures  d'hommes, 
de  boeufs,  de  cerfs,  de  cocodrilles  et  de 
poules  d'Inde,  faites  d'une  paste  avec  des 
fruits.  On  leur  demanda  s'ils  avoient  des 
eaux  salees,  ils  montrdrent  le  soleil  cou- 
chant,  et  qu'il  falloit  aller  de  ce  costd-R. 
On  leur  demanda  si  en  descendant  la  ri- 
viere on  trouveroit  Teau  sal6e,  ils  respondi- 
rent  en  tournant  la  teste,  faisant  entendre 
qu'ils  n'en  s9avoient  rien,  n'y  ayant  jamais 
est6.  Ils  firent  aussi  entendre  qu'il  y  avoit 
de  meschantes  nations  qui  mangeroient  les 
Fran9ois.  Quatre  Loups  eurent  peur  et 
restdrent  en  ce  village,  et  les  deux  Akansa 
s'en  retourndrent  chez  eux.  M.  de  La 
Salle    n'alla    point   au   village.      Plusieurs 

d'entre 


Il . , 


Narrative  of  Nicolas  de  La  Salle.  29 


The  Akansas  informed  us  that  there  was 
here  a  nation  allied  to  them  named  the 
Tinsas.  In  this  bend  there  is  a  small 
stream,  the  outlet  of  a  lake  which  is  at  a 
distance  of  perhaps  a  quarter  of  a  league. 
This  lake  is  crescent-shaped  and  on  it  is 
the  Tinsa  village.  M.  de  La  Salle  sent 
with  the  Akansas  three  Frenchmen,  who 
were  well  received. — The  chief  of  the  vil- 
lage sent  twenty  canoes  with  victuals,  such  as 
maize,  dried  fruits,  and  salt.  There  were 
also  figures  of  men,  cattle,  deer,  alligators, 
and  turkeys,  made  of  fruit  pulp.  They 
were  asked  if  there  was  salt  water;  they 
pointed  to  the  setting  sun  and  said  one 
must  go  in  that  direction.  Being  asked 
whether  salt  water  could  not  be  reached  by 
going  down  the  river,  they  replied  by  shak- 
ing the  head,  meaning  that  they  knew 
nothing  of  the  matter,  having  never  been 
there.  They  also  gave  us  to  understand 
that  there  were  bad  tribes,  who  would 
devour  the  Frenchmen.  Four  Wolf  Indians 
took  fright  and  remained  in  this  village, 
the  two  Akansas  returning  home.  M.  de 
La  Salle  did  not  go  to  the  village.  Some 
of  them  had  pearls,  but  small  ones,  around 
the  neck  and  in  the  ears.  M.  de  Tonty 
bargained  for  about  a  dozen  of  these.  He 
bought  also  a  little  slave,  who  cost  him  two 
knives  and  a  small  kettle.     A  chief  of  the 

village 


March, 
1682. 


The  Tinsa 

village. 


The  mouth 
of  the  river 
unknown  to 
the  Tinsas. 


Tontfs 
pearls. 


•» 


\. 


y 


:il 


mmmmmtm 


«p 


HI 


V 


t  > 


30 


Redt  de  Nicolas  de  La  Salle. 


Mars, 
1682. 


d'entre  eux  avoient  des  perles,  mais  petites, 
au  col  et  aux  oreilles.  M.  de  Tonty  en 
traita  environ  une  douzaine.  II  acheta 
aussi  un  petit  esclave  qui  lui  cousta  deux 
couteaux  et  une  petite  chaudi^re.  Un  chef 
de  village  fit  present  ^  un  Loup  d'un  esclave 
qu'il  avoit  pris  en  guerre.  Le  Loup  lui 
donna  une  chaudidre.  lis  estoient  tous  les 
deux  Coroa. 

Enfin  on  partit.  On  trouva  un  grand 
courant  dans  la  rividre.  A  la  pointe  de 
I'anse,  le  pays  estoit  plein  de  beaux  grands 
arbres.  On  battit  une  isle  pour  chercher 
des  chevreuils,  on  n'en  trouva  point;  et, 
aprds  encore  trois  lieues,  on  cabana  dans 
une  isle  longue  d'une  lieue  et  large  de  trois 
quarts.  On  fit  un  abbatis  crainte  de  sur- 
prise, parce  qu'on  avoit  veu  de  la  fum^c. 

Le  lendemain  on  battit  I'isle,  et  on  ne 
trouva  rien. — Les  costez  de  la  rividre  comme 
cy-devant. — On  s'embarqua.  Aprds  avoir 
fait  trois  lieues,  on  vit  un  canot  qui  traver- 
soit  la  rividre  pour  gagner  son  village,  qui 
estoit  ^  gauche.  Comme  on  nageoit  de 
force  pour  I'attraper,  on  se  trouva  dans  un 
lieu  oCi  il  y  avoit  des  Sauvages  qui  pes- 
choient.  lis  estoient  environ  deux  cents, 
avoient  tous  leurs  flesches  et  leurs  casse- 
teste  en  main.  lis  firent  le  sacacayou,  la 
hu6e.    On  traversa  de  I'autre  bord.    M.  de 

Tonty 


ne 

ime 

ivoir 

iver- 

qui 
it  de 
IS  un 

pes- 
tents, 
;asse- 
ju,  la 

[.  de 

lonty 


Narrative  of  Nicolas  de  La  Salle.  3 1 

village   presented   a  Wolf  Indian  with  a    March, 
slave,  whom  he  had  taken  in  war.     The  ,1??^ . 
Wolf  gave  him  a  kettle.     Both  these  slaves  ^^^*^ 
were  Coroas. 

At  length  we  departed.  We  found  a 
strong  current  in  the  river.  At  the  extrem- 
ity of  the  bend  the  country  was  covered 
with  fine  large  trees.  We  scoured  an  island 
for  deer,  but  found  none ;  and,  after  making 
three  leagues  more,  we  encamped  on  an 
island  a  league  in  length  and  three-fourths  PrecauthHs 
of  a  league  in  width.     We  made  an  abatis  ^1"'"^' 

err  •         t-      •  I  surprise. 

tor  rear  or  surprise,  having  seen  smoke.  '^ 

The  next  day  we  scoured  the  island,  find- 
ing nothing. — The  banks  of  the  river  as 
before.  —  We  embarked  and,  having  made 
three  leagues,  saw  a  canoe  crossing  the  river  fhe 
to  reach  a  village  on  the  left.  Pushing  on  Naubez. 
to  overtake  it,  we  found  ourselves  in  a  place 
where  there  were  Savages  fishing.  They 
were  about  two  hundred,  with  arrows  and 
tomahawks  in  hand.  They  gave  the  saca- 
cayoUy  the  war-cry.  We  crossed  to  the 
other  side.  M.  de  Tonty  went  to  them 
with  five  men  bearing  the  calumet  of  peace. 
He  smoked  with  them  and  made  peace,  and 
they  rubbed  him  in  sign  of  friendship.  They 
sent  a  canoe  to  invite  M.  de  La  Salle  to 
their  village,  promising  that  they  would 
give  provisions.  M.  de  Tonty  returned; 
we  crossed    to   their   side   and    encamped 

where 


i 


mm 


«p 


32 

Mars, 

i68z. 


'  ■* 


111     . 


t 


U^f/V  ^i^  Nicolas  de  La  Salle. 

Tonty  alia  ^  eux  avec  cinq  hommes  et  le 
calumet  de  paix.  II  fuma  avec  eux  et  fit 
la  paix,  et  ils  le  frottdrent  en  signe  d'amiti^. 
lis  envoydrent  un  canot  prier  M.  de  La 
Salle  d'aller  Jl  leur  village,  avec  promesse 
qu'ils  donneroient  des  vivres.  M.  de  Tonty 
revint.  On  traversa  de  leur  cost6,  et  on  y 
cabana  oCi  ils  peschoient.  M.  de  La  Salle 
alia,  luy  huitiesme,  a  leur  village,  ^  trois 
lieues  de  la  riviere,  sur  des  costeaux.  II  y 
demeura  trois  jours,  le  chef  luy  faisant  en- 
tendre qu'il  avoit  envoys  querir  d'autres 
chefs  pour  luy  parler.  M.  de  Tonty  voy- 
ant  que  M.  de  La  Salle  ne  revenoit  point, 
au  bout  de  deux  jours,  envoya  huit  Fran- 
9ois  le  chercher.  lis  revinrent  tous  sans 
parler  ^  ces  chefs,  qui  n'estoient  pas  encore 
venus.  On  demeura  encore  deux  jours.  lis 
envoy drent  un  peu  de  bled  d'Inde.  II  ne 
paroist  pas  y  avoir  grande  chasse  en  ces 
quartiers.  Les  Loups  cependant  firent  deux 
canots  d'escorce  d'orme,  les  leurs  estant 
usez.  Cette  nation  s'appeloit  les  Natch6. 
On  nous  dit  que  plus  loin  nous  trouverions 
les  Coroa. 

Le  cinquiesme  jour  on  partit  avec  quatre 
Natch6.  Aprds  huit  lieues  on  arriva  au 
village  des  Coroa,  ^  gauche,  situ6  sur  le 
penchant  d'une  montagne  qui  vient  tomber 

au 


Narrative  of  Nicolas  de  La  Salle.  33 


uatre 
a  au 
ur  le 
iber 
au 


where  they  were  fishing.  M.  de  La  Salle 
went  with  seven  of  his  men  to  their  village, 
which  was  three  leagues  from  the  river  upon 
the  hills.  There  he  remained  for  three 
days,  the  chief  giving  him  to  understand 
that  he  had  sent  for  other  chiefs  to  talk 
with  him.  Seeing  that  M.  de  La  Salle  did 
not  return  at  the  end  of  two  days,  M.  de 
Tonty  sent  eight  Frenchmen  to  seek  him. 
They  all  returned  without  an  interview  with 
these  chiefs,  who  had  not  yet  arrived.  We 
remained  two  days  longer.  They  sent  a 
little  Indian  corn.  There  seems  to  be  no 
large  game  in  these  regions.  During  this 
time  the  Wolf  Indians  made  two  canoes  of 
elm-bark,  their  others  being  worn  out. 
This  nation  was  named  the  Natchez.  We 
were  told  that  w  ;  should  find  the  Coroas 
farther  on. 

On  the  fifth  day  we  set  out  with  four 
Natchez.  After  making  eight  leagues 
we  came  to  the  Coroa  village  on  the  left, 
situated  on  the  side  of  a  mountain  which 
slopes  down  to  the  bank  of  the  river.  We 
went  to  the  village,  where  they  received  us 
well  and  made  a  feast.  A  number  of  Nat- 
chez had  come  there  by  land.  At  this 
village  we  remained  two  days. — A  fine  roll- 
ing prairie  country.  The  lodges  are  dome- 
shaped,  supported  from  ground  to  roof  with 
great  reeds.     They  are  fifteen  feet  high, 

windowless. 


March, 
i68z. 


Their 
temporiz- 
ing policy. 


The  Coroa 
village. 


Coroa 

arthitet- 

tun. 


«Hn 


mmmm 


JT 


34 


Recit  de  Nicolas  de  La  Salle. 


F: 


Mars,  au  bord  de  la  rividre;  on  fut  au  village. 
1682.  Qjj  £m  \yisxi  receu.  On  y  fit  festin.  Plu- 
^^^^  sieurs  Natch6  y  estoient  venus  par  terre. 
On  resta  deux  jours  a  ce  village. — Beau 
pays,  belles  prairies,  petits  costeaux.  Les 
cabanes  sont  faites  en  ddme,  avec  de  grandes 
Cannes  qui  les  soustiennent  depuis  la  terre 
jusqu'au  haut.  Elles  sont  hautes  de  quinze 
pieds,  n'ont  point  de  fenestres,  mais  une 
porte  carr6e  haute  de  quatre  pieds  dans 
chaque  cabane.  lis  ont  toute  la  nuit  un 
flambeau  allum6.  II  est  fait  de  cannes  liees 
ensemble. — Je  crois,  dit  le  petit  M.  de  La 
Salle,  que  les  Tinsa,  les  Natch6  et  les  Coroa 
ont  les  mesmes  manidres,  mais  leur  langage 
est  difF<§rent.  Les  gens  sont  bons,  hospi- 
taliers  aux  estrangers,  mais  cruels  \  leurs 
ennemis.  lis  ont  des  couvertures  qui  res- 
semblent  \  des  hamacs  de  coton.  lis  s'en 
couvrent  pour  ceinture;  ils  ont  un  cordon 
qui  a  deux  grandes  houppes  aux  bouts.  Les 
couvertures  et  cordons  sont  extremement 
blancs.  lis  ont  aussi  des  couvertures  de 
peaux  de  chevreuil.  Ils  parent  leurs  ca- 
banes avec  de  grands  ronds  de  cuivre  fort 
reluisant,  faits  comme  des  couvercles  de 
niarmites.  Ils  ont  des  perles,  dont  je  tro- 
quois  quatorze  pour  un  petit  meschant 
peigne  de  buis,  dit  le  petit  M.  de  La  Salle. 
Le   troisiesme  jour   on   partit.     Le   petit 

esclave 


1: 


Narrative  of  Nicolas  de  La  Salle.  35 

windowless,  but  with  a  square  door  four    March, 
feet  in  height  in  every  lodge.     At  night    '^^** 
there  is  in  each  a  lighted  torch,  made  of  ^^^'^^ 
canes  tied  together. — I  think,   says  little  ohstrva- 
M.  de  La  Salle,  that  the  Tinsas,  the  Nat-  tions  of 
chez,  and  the  Coroas  have  the  same  customs,  J^/^ 
but  their  languages  are  different.    The  peo- 
ple are  kind,  hospitable  to  strangers,  but 
cruel  to  their  enemies.     They  have  cover- 
lets resembling  cotton  hammocks.     With 
these  they  cover  themselves  about  the  waist, 
fastening  them  with  a  cord  which  has  two 
great  tassels  at  the  ends.     These  coverlets 
and  cords  are  extremely  white.    They  have 
also  deer-skin  coverlets.     They  adorn  their 
lodges  with  great  round  plates  of  shining 
copper,  made  like  pot  covers.     They  have 
pearls,  fourteen  of  which,  says  little  M.  de 
La  Salle,  I  secured  in  exchange  for  a  paltry 
little  comb  of  boxwood.    On  the  third  day 
we  departed.     M.  de  Tonty's  little  slave 
deserted.    He  was,  like  the  other,  a  Coroa, 
but  the  Wolf  Indian  led  his  slave  home  to 
his  country.     We  encamped  at  a  distance 
of  five  leagues — white  soil. 

The  next  day,  after  making  thirteen 
leagues,  we  encamped  upon  overflowed 
land.     We  cut  reeds  or  canes  to  raise  our-    ,   ,  ^ 

,  ,  ,  A  platform 

selves  above  the  water;    on   our  way  we  tamp. 
killed  a  deer  upon  an  island  a  league  in 
length   and   half    a   league   in  width;    a 

number 


I^^^HP 


miKmsmmm 


immn 


36 


[I 


i 

I  't  %4l 


Mars, 
1682. 


Recit  de  Nicolas  de  La  Salle. 

esclave  de  M.  de  Tonty  d6serta.  II  estoit 
Coroa  aussi  bien  que  I'autre,  mais  le  Loup 
mena  le  sien  en  son  pays.  On  alia  cabaner 
apr^  cinq  lieues;  terre  blanche. 

Le  lendemain,  on  fiit,  aprds  avoir  fait 
treize  lieues,  cabaner  en  pays  noy6.  C'est 
pourquoy  on  coupa  des  roseaux  ou  Cannes 
pour  se  lever  de  I'eau ;  k  moiti6  chemin  on 
tua  un  chevreuil  dans  une  isle  longue  d'une 
lieue  et  large  d'une  demy-lieue;  plusieurs 
autres  chevreuils  se  sauvdrent  ^  la  nage. — 
Le  lendemain  on  fit  encore  treize  lieues,  et 
on  cabana  dans  un  endroit  oCi  le  pays  estoit 
beau.  II  y  a  des  costeaux.  II  y  a  appa- 
rence  que  ces  costeaux  sont.  .  . 

Le  lendemain,  aprds  neuf  lieues,  on  ca- 
bana ^  la  droite,  en  pays  plat,  plein  de 
grands  bois;  de  I'autre  cost6,  il  y  a  des 
montagnes.  L' esclave  du  Loup  dit  que 
Ton  estoit  alors  vis-2l-vis  des  Ouma,  mais 
M.  de  La  Salle  n'y  alia  point.  Le  lende- 
main on  fit lieues,  et  on  cabana 

en  pays  noy6  ^  la  rive  droite;  ^  la  gauche  il 
I'cstoit  encore  davantage.  On  abattit  des 
Cannes  pour  s' Clever  de  I'eau.  Ce  jour,  on 
rencontra  une  isle  pleine  de  grands  bois, 
longue  de  deux  lieues  et  large  d'une  demi- 
lieue;  plusieurs  autres  isles  rondes  d'une 
lieue  et  demie  de  tour. 

Le 


I  ca- 

i  de 

1  des 
que 

mais 

nde- 
ana 
eil 
des 
on 
ois, 
mi- 
*une 

Lc 


Narrative  of  Nicolas  de  La  Salle.  37 


number  of  other  deer  escaped  by  swim- 
ming.— The  next  day  we  again  made  thir- 
teen leagues,  encamping  in  a  place  where 
the  country  was  fine.  There  are  hills  which 
are  apparently     *     *     * 

The  next  day,  after  making  nine  leagues, 
we  encamped  on  the  right  in  a  flat  country 
full  of  great  trees;  on  the  other  side  there 
are  mountains.  The  slave  of  the  Wolf 
Indian  said  that  we  were  opposite  the 
Oumas,  but  M .  de  La  Salle  did  not  go  to 
them.  The  next  day  we  made  .... 
leagues,  and  encamped  in  an  overflowed 
country  on  the  right  bank;  on  the  left  it 
was  still  more  flooded.  We  cut  canes  to 
raise  ourselves  above  water.  This  day  we 
passed  an  island  two  leagues  in  length  and 
a  half-league  in  width,  and  covered  with 
great  trees.  There  are  several  round  islands 
a  league  and  a  half  in  circumference. 

The  next  day,  after  making  six  leagues, 
we  encamped  upon  flooded  land.  The  next 
day,  after  making  two  leagues,  we  stopped 
at  the  foot  of  blufis,  while  the  Wolf  Indians 
searched  for  roots  to  dress  the  foot  of  the 
Sieur  Barbier.  That  day  we  made  nine 
leagues,  encamping  on  the  left,  a  little 
below  the  mouth  of  a  river  which  we  saw 
very  plainly  on  the  right,  and  which  ap- 
peared to  come  from  the  west.  At  its 
mouth  it  is  a  half  league  in  width;   at  a 

distance 


March, 
1682. 


The 
Oumas. 


Another 
platform. 


A  great 
river  com- 
ingfrom 
the  West. 


\\\ 


if 


mm 


38 


t 


Mars, 
1682. 


f 


Recti  de  Nicolas  de  La  Salle. 

Le  lendemain,  aprds  six  lieues,  on  cabana 
en  pays  noy6.  Le  lendemain,  aprds  avoir 
fait  deux  lieues,  on  s'arresta  k  des  costeaux, 
et  les  Loups  cherchdrent  des  racines  pour 
panser  le  pied  au  sieur  Barbier.  On  fit  ce 
jour  encore  neuf  lieues;  puis  on  cabana  ^ 
gauche,  un  peu  au-dessous  de  1' embouchure 
d'une  rividre,  sur  la  droite  fort  claire,  qui 
paraissoit  venir  de  Touest.  A  son  embou- 
chure elle  est  large  de  demy-lieue;  au  loin 
un  voyoit  dedans  comme  des  isles. 

Le  lendemain,  aprds  dix  lieues,  on  fut 
cabaner  ^  la  gauche.  Cette  journ6e  on  ne 
vit  quf*  des  arbres.  Le  lendemain  on  fit 
douze  lie;^^.  A  moitid  chemin  on  vit  des 
montagnes  sur  la  gauche  et  une  rividre  qui 
en  sortoit;  on  la  nomma  la  rividre  aux 
Risques;  on  cabana  en  pays  noyd  ^  I'ordi- 
naire. 

Le  lendemain,  aprds  cinq  lieues,  on  len- 
contra  neuf  canots  amarez  ^  terre  sur  la 
droite.  II  n'y  avoit  personne;  mais  les 
pistes  estoient  toutes  fraisches.  On  attendit 
k  une  heure;  n'ayant  point  de  nouvelles  de 
ces  Sauvages,  on  fit  encore  une  lieue;  puis 
on  vit  des  Sauvages  qui  peschoient  i.  la 
droite.  lis  s'enfuirent  a  leur  village,  aban- 
donnant  leur  pesche  et  un  panier  oil  il  y 
avoit  dedans  un  poisson,  un  pied  d'homme 
et  la  main   d'un  enfant,  le  tout  boucane. 

On 


3  111 


Narrative  of  Nicolas  de  La  Salle.  39 


3ana 
Lvoir 
aux, 
pour 
it  ce 
.na  2i 
:hure 
,  qui 
ibou- 
i  loin 

n  fut 
on  ne 
on  fit 
rit  des 
re  qui 
e  aux 
I'ordi- 

ri  len- 
sur  la 
lis  les 
tendit 
les  de 
puis 
k  la 
aban- 
ily 
lomme 
lucane. 
On 


distance  we  saw  what  looked  like  islands 
in  it. 

The  next  day,  after  making  ten  leagues, 
we  encamped  on  the  left.  On  that  day  we 
saw  nothing  but  trees.  The  following  day 
we  made  twelve  leagues.  Midway  we 
saw  mountains  on  the  left  and  a  river  issu- 
ing from  them;  we  called  it  the  Aux 
Risques;  we  encamped  in  a  country  usually 
overflowed. 

The  next  day,  after  making  five  leagues, 
we  found  nine  canoes  moored  to  the  bank 
upon  the  right.  No  one  was  to  be  seen, 
but  the  tracks  were  still  fresh.  We  waited 
there  an  hour;  hearing  nothing  of  these 
Savages  we  went  on  for  a  league,  when  we 
saw  Savages  on  the  right  engaged  in  fishing. 
They  fled  to  their  village,  abandoning  their 
fishing  and  leaving  a  basket  containing  a 
fish,  a  man's  foot,  and  a  child's  hand,  all 
smoke-dried.  We  landed  and  sent  them  a 
Frenchman  and  a  Wolf  to  tell  them  that 
we  came  in  peace;  but  they  shot  arrows, 
desiring  war.  We  reembarked,  and  had 
made  a  league  and  a  half,  when  we  saw  on 
the  left  another  village,  and  near  it  many 
eagles  and  crows.  We  went  to  the  village 
and  saw  only  the  carcasses  of  men,  and  ruined 
lodges.  Some  were  still  entire,  but  filled 
with  dead  bodies.  The  canoes  were  all 
broken  up;  they  seemed  to  have  been  cut 

with 


April, 
1682. 


A  river 
breaking 
through 
the  bluffs 
on  the  East, 


Gruesome 
contents  of 
a  basket. 


A  sacked 
village. 


i/ 


40 

Avril, 
1682. 


il 


I 


Kecit  de  Nicolas  de  La  Salle. 

On  descendit  ^  terre;  on  leur  envoya  un 
Fran9ois  et  un  Loup  leur  dire  qu'on  venoit 
en  paix;  mais  ils  tiroient  des  flesches,  vou- 
lant  la  guerre.  On  se  rembarqua  et  on  fit 
une  lieue  et  demie.  On  vit  sur  la  gauche 
un  autre  village;  on  vit  proche  quantity 
d'aig^es  et  de  corbeaux.  On  alia  au  village 
et  on  ne  vit  que  carcasses  d'hommes  et  ca- 
banes  ruin6es.  II  y  en  avoit  quelques-unes 
entidres,  mais  pleines  de  corps  morts.  Les 
canots  estoient  tous  brisez.  lis  paroissoient 
coupez  avec  de  tr^s-bonnes  baches.  Le 
pays  commen9oit  k  se  noyer.  On  se  rem- 
barqua aprds  avoir  fait  encore  deux  lieues 
ou  environ.  On  cabana  sur  la  gauche;  on 
fit  un  abbatis  d'arbres  et  de  Cannes,  crainte 
de  surprise.  On  s6journa  R  un  jour  ^  cause 
de  la  pluye  continuelle.  C'estoit  sur  la  fin 
de  la  semaine,  vers  le  15  Avril  1682. 

Le  deuxiesme  jour  on  partit,  et,  apr^s 
sept  lieues,  on  cabana  en  pays  noy6.  II 
faut  que  ce  pays  ne  noye  pas  longtemps, 
car  oCi  il  noye  on  y  voit  des  lauriers,  des 
ormes  et  des  meuriers,  sur  lesquels  il  y  avoit 
desj^  des  meures  vertes. 

Le  lendemain,  aprds  trois  lieues,  on  vit 
de  loing  comme  de  grandes  prairies.  Estant 
proche,  on  vit  le  pays  noy6  plein  de  ro- 
seaux,  les  arbres  esloignez  de  la  rividre  et  le 

bord 


lu 


Narrative  of  Nicolas  de  La  Salle.  41 


Ion  vit 
)stant 
le  ro- 
et  le 
bord 


April, 
1682. 


^^^v\^ 


Continual 


the  water. 


with  very  good  axes.  The  country  was 
beginning  to  be  overflowed.  We  reem- 
barked,  after  having  made  two  more  leagues, 
or  thereabouts.*  We  encamped  on  the  left, 
making  an  abatis  of  trees  and  canes  to  guard 
against  surprise.  We  remained  here  a  day, 
on  account  of  the  continual  rain.  This 
was  near  the  end  of  the  week,  about  the  rain, 
15th  of  April,  1682. 

The  second  day  we  went  on,  making 
seven  leagues  and  encamping  in  a  flooded 
country.  This  country  cannot  remain  flood- 
ed long,  as  we  saw  in  the  midst  of  the  water  yy.^^^ 
laurels,  elms,  and  mulberry-trees  on  which  growing  in 
there  were  already  green  mulberries. 

The  next  day,  having  made  three  leagues, 
we  saw  from  a  distance  what  looked  like 
great  prairies.  Coming  near,  we  saw  the 
flooded  land  to  be  covered  with  reeds,  the 
trees  at  a  distance  from  the  river,  the  bank 
of  which  was  somewhat  high.  After  travel- 
ing three  leagues  farther  we  found  a  little 
cluster  of  aspens,  where  we  encamped. 
Some  Frenchmen  climbed  trees  and  said 
they  saw  in  the  distance  a  great  bay.  M. 
de  La  Salle  went  with  two  others  to  see 
whether  it  was  the  ocean.     On  his  return 

he 

'"The  last  clause  probably  belongs  to  the  following 
sentence.  The  date  below  should  evidently  be  the  5th 
instead  of  the  15th. — Tr. 


First  view 
of  the  sea. 


mf^^l^^^^ 


42 

Avril, 
1682. 


Recti  de  Nicolas  de  La  Salle. 

bord  de  la  rividre  un  peu  6lev6.  Aprds 
encore  trois  lieues  on  trouva  un  petit  bou- 
quet de  bois  de  trembles;  on  y  cabana. 
Quelques  Fran9ois  montdrent  sur  les  arbres 
et  dirent  qu'ils  voyoient  de  loing  une  grande 
baye.  M .  de  La  Salle  alia,  luy  troisiesme, 
pour  voir  si  c'estoit  la  mer.  A  son  retour 
il  dit  qu'il  avoit  trouv6  I'eau  saumastre.  II 
y  avoit  une  quantity  de  tourlourous'  qui 
se  fichent  en  terre. 

Le  lendemain,  aprds  avoir  fait  environ 
trois  lieues,  on  trouva  que  la  rividre  faisoit 
trois  branches.  On  prit  le  canal  du  milieu, 
et  ayant  fait  une  lieue,  I'eau  montoit,  et  il 
y  avoit  mar6e  d' environ  deux  pieds;  on 
eschoua  le  long  de  la  terre  sur  un  gros  arbre 
que  I'eau  y  avoit  amen6,  qui  estoit  arrests 
1^;  on  ne  put  cabaner  en  ce  lieu,  tout  estant 
couvert  d'eau.  II  n'y  avoit  que  des  herbes 
fort  hautes ;  on  remonta  et  on  descendit  par 
le  canal  de  la  branche  droite;  on  cabana 
vis-^-vis  une  isle  i  gauche.  On  tua  dans 
cette  isle  quantity  de  corbeaux  blancs,  de 
herons  rouges  et  d'autres  qui  ont  les  pieds 
de  canards,  le  bee  long,  le  col  court,  et  sur 
le  dos  du  duvet  com  me  de  la  soye;  ils  per- 
chent  sur  les  arbres. 

Le  lendemain,  M.  de  La  Salle  envoya  M. 
de  Tonty  par  la  branche  gauche,  et  luy  de- 
scendit 

I  Espece  de  crabes. 


m^^i 


m 


Narrative  of  Nicolas  de  La  Salle.  43 


Apr^ 
t  bou- 
ibana. 
arbres 
rrande 
iesme, 
retour 
re.  II 
s*    qui 

inviron 
faisoit 
milieu, 
it,  et  il 
ds;   on 
3S  arbre 
arrests 
t  estant 
herbes 
dit  par 
cabana 
a  dans 
|ncs,  de 
s  pieds 
et  sur 
ils  per- 

[oya  M. 
lluy  de- 
scendit 


he  said  he  had  found  the  water  brackish. 
There  were  numbers  of  land-crabs,  which 
burrow  in  the  ground. 

The  next  day,  having  made  about  three 
leagues,  we  found  that  the  river  formed 
three  branches.  We  took  the  middle  chan- 
nel and,  after  we  had  gone  about  a  league, 
the  water  rose,  and  there  was  a  tide  of  about 
two  feet;  near  the  shore  we  ran  upon  a  big 
tree  which  had  Hoated  down  and  stuck 
there;  we  could  not  encamp  here,  all  being 
covered  with  water.  There  was  nothing 
but  very  high  grass;  we  went  back  and  de- 
scended the  channel  of  the  right  branch, 
encamping  opposite  an  island  on  the  left. 
On  this  island  we  killed  a  number  of 
white  crows,  red  herons,  and  others  having 
duck's  feet,  a  long  bill,  a  short  neck,  and  a 
silky  down  on  the  back;  they  roost  upon 
trees. 

The  next  day,  M.  de  La  Salle  sent  M. 
de  Tonty  by  the  left  branch,  and  him- 
self with  ten  men  descended  the  right, 
where  we  had  encamped.  They  started  at 
about  eight  in  the  morning.  About  five  in 
the  afternoon  M.  de  La  Salle  returned,  say- 
ing that  he  had  found  the  mouth  of  the 
river,  which  river  ran  far  out  into  the  sea, 
making  an  embankment  on  each  side;  that 
he  had  carried  his  canoe  over  the  right 
embankment,  and  that  the  water,  which 

does 


April, 
1682. 


The  Delta. 


An 

unknown 
bird. 


La  Salle 
reaches 
the  mouth 
of  the  right 
branch. 


^m^mmm 


mam 


l\ 


r 


I 


^ 


44 

Avril, 
1682. 


Recit  de  Nicolas  de  La  Salle. 

scendit  avec  dix  hommes  la  droite,  oCi  on 
estoit  caban6.  lis  partirent  sur  les  huit 
heures  du  matin.  M.  de  La  Salle  revint 
sur  les  cinq  heures  du  soir,  disant  qu'il 
avoit  trouv6  I'embouchure  de  la  rividre,  1 
quelle  rividre  s'avan9oit  beaucoup  en  mei, 
faisant  de  chaque  cost^  une  chauss6e;  qu'il 
avoit  port6  son  canot  de  I'autre  cost6  de  la 
chauss6e  droite,  et  disoit  que  I'eau,  qui  ne 
communique  pas  avec  la  rividre,  estoit 
saumastre. 

Quoyque  les  six  hommes  dissent  d'abord 
le  contraire,  ils  dirent  aprds  que  cela  estoit 
vray.  Estant  Ik,  il  alia  dans  une  petite  isle, 
^  une  lieue  de  la  chauss6e.  Ils  trouv6rent 
dans  cette  isle  un  cancre,  une  coquiP 
d'huistre  qu'ils  apportdrent  au  camp  a' 
de  I'eau  sal6e  qu'ils  avoient  trouv^e  dan. 
cette  isle  dans  une  mare.  M.  de  Tonty  re- 
vint le  lendemain  matin  ^  neuf  heures.  II 
dit  que  cette  branche  gauche  se  deschar- 
geoit  dans  une  grande  mer,  k  sept  lieues,  oCl 
ils  avoient  veu  une  isle  qui  paroissoit  cou- 
verte  de  grands  bois.  Ils  ne  peurent  y  aller 
k  cause  du  grand  vent.  lis  beurent  de  I'eau; 
elle  estoit  douce  et  bourbeuse  et  pleine  de 
cocodrilles  ou  de  caymans.  M.  de  Tonty 
fut  aussi  par  le  canal  du  milieu;  on  re- 
monta  la  rividre  et  on  alia  cabaner  k  quatre 

lieues 


E. 

,  oCi  on 
es  huit 
;  revint 
It  qu'il 
ifere,  1 
sn  mei, 
e;  qu'il 
,i€  de  la 
,  qui  ne 
;,    estoit 

d'abord 
la  estoit 
5tite  isle, 
ouvdrent 
coquir 
mp  a^ 
y6e  dauw 
fonty  re- 
ures.     II 
deschar- 
ieues,  oCi 
soit  cou- 
it  y  aller 
deVeau; 
}leine  de 
e  Tonty 
on  re- 
2i  quatre 
lieues 


Narrative  of  Nicolas  de  La  Salle.  45 


April, 
1682. 


does  not  communicate  with  the  river,  was 
brackish. 

Although  at  first  the  six*  men  said  the 
contrary,  they  afterwards  said  that  this  was 
true.  While  there,  he  went  to  a  small 
island  at  a  distance  of  a  league  from  the 
embankment.  In  this  island  they  found  a 
crab,  an  oyster-shell  which  they  brought 
to  camp,  and  salt  water  which  they  found 
in  a  pond  in  this  island.  M.  de  Tonty 
returned  the  following  morning  at  nine 
o'clock.  He  said  that  this  left  branch 
emptied  into  an  open  sea  at  a  distance  of 
seven  leagues,  whence  they  had  seen  an 
island  which  seemed  to  be  covered  with 
great  trees.  They  could  not  go  to  it  on 
account  of  the  high  wind.  They  drank 
of  the  water;  it  was  fresh  and  muddy,  and 
full  of  alligators  or  cayman^.  M.  de 
Tonty  went  through  the  middle  channel 
also;  we  reascended  the  river  and  encamped 
at  a  distance  of  four  leagues  on  the  left, 
going  up.  There  were  small  trees  here; 
we  made  an  abatis  for  the  purpose  of  set- 
ting up  the  arms  of  the  King. — The  next  The  King's 
day  M.  de  Tonty  returned,  saying  that  the  arms  set  up. 
middle  channel  emptied  into  a  great  sea  of 
fresh  water.  We  hewed  a  tree,  making  a 
stake,  which  was  planted,  and  to  it  we  fas- 
tened 

*  Ten  is  the  number  given  above. — Tr. 


46 


Avril, 
1682. 


Recti  de  Nicolas  de  La  Salle. 

lieues  sur  la  gauche  en  remontant.  II  y  a 
avoit  Ik  de  petits  arbres;  on  fit  un  abbatis 
pour  y  planter  les  armes  du  Roy. — Le  len- 
demain,  M.  de  Tonty  revint.  II  dit  que  ce 
canal  du  milieu  se  deschargeoit  dans  une 
grande  mer  d'eau  douce.  On  esquarit  un 
arbre  dont  on  fit  un  poteau  qu'on  planta,  et  on 
y  attacha  les  armes  du  Roy,  faites  du  cuivre 
d'une  chaudidre.  On  planta  aussy  une  croix 
ei:  on  enterra  dessous  une  plaque  de  plomb, 
oCl  il  y  avoit  ces  mots  escrits:  "Au  nom 
de  Louis  XIV,  Roy  de  France  et  de  Na- 
varre, le  9  Avril  1682,  on  chanta  le  Vexilla 
regis  au  plantement  de  la  croix,  puis  le  Te 
Deum  et  Ton  fit  trois  descharges  des  fusils. 
Les  vivres  manquoient  et  on  n'avoit  par 
jour  qu'une  poign^e  de  mahis." 


RETOUR 
EN  REMONTANT  LA  RIVlfeRE  MISSISSIPI. 

Le  lendemain  10  Avril  1682,  on  alia 
cabaner  k  quatre  lieues  en  pays  noy6.  II 
I'estoit  plus  qu'Si  I'ordinaire  k  cause  du  d6- 
gel  du  nord. — Ayant  navigu6  sept  jours,  on 
arriva  au  village  destruit;  on  y  cabana. 
Les  Loups  virent  un  canot  k  Tautre  rive  de 
la  riviere,  qui  a  une  demi-lieue  de  large  en 
cet  endroit.  On  y  alia;  on  vit  un  chemin 
fraye  et  quatre  hommes  cabanez  k  terre  sous 

un 


% 


LE. 

.    II  y  a 

n  abbatis 
— Le  len- 
lit  que  ce 
dans  une 
quarit  un 
anta,  eton 
du  cuivre 
une  croix 
de  plomb, 
"Au  nom 
2t  de  Na- 
i  le  Vexilla 
puis  le  Te 
5  des  fusils. 
I'avoit   par 


Narrjtive  of  Nicolas  de  La  Salle.  47 


April, 
1682. 


[ISSISSIPI. 

2,  on  alia 
J  noye.     H 
ause  du  d6- 
jpt  jours,  on 
y  cabana, 
lutre  rive  de 
de  large  en 
un  chemin 
5i  terre  sous 
un 


tened  the  King's  arms,  made  of  the  copper 
of  a  kettle.  We  planted  a  cross  also,  and 
buried  beneath  it  a  leaden  tablet  inscribed  ^^^'^ 
with  these  words:  "  In  the  name  of  Louis 
XIV.,  King  of  France  and  of  Navarre,  the 
9th  of  April,  1682."  At  the  planting  of 
the  cross,  the  Vexilla  Regis  was  sung,  then 
the  Te  Deum,  and  there  were  three  dis- 
charges of  musketry.  Provisions  were 
lacking,  and  we  had  only  a  handful  of 
maize  each  day.* 


RETURN  BY  ASCENDING  THE  MISSISSIPI 

RIVER. 

On  the  next  day,  the  loth  of  April, 
1682,  we  encamped  four  leagues  above  in 
a  flooded  country.  It  was  the  more  so  on 
account  of  the  thaw  northward. — After 
voyaging  seven  days,  we  arrived  at  the 
ruined  village,  where  we  encamped.  The 
Wolf  Indians  saw  a  canoe  on  the  other  side 
of  the  river,  which  is  there  half  a  league 
wide.  We  went  thither,  and  found  a 
beaten  path,  and  four  persons  lodged  on 
the  ground  under  a  great  tree.  The  next 
day  all  the  Frenchmen  went  over,  resolved 

to 

*  The  last  two  sentences,  obviously  a  part  of  the 
narrative,  are  in  Margry's  French  text  included  in  the 
quotation  marks,  as  if  a  part  of  the  inscription. — Tr. 


m 


liSjfr-. 


^!^ 


f 


48 

Avril, 
1682. 


Recit  de  Nicolas  de  La  Salle. 

un  gros  arbre.  Le  lendemain,  tous  les 
Fran9ois  y  furent,  r^solus  de  se  battre  pour 
avoir  des  vivres.  On  trouva  \^  quatre 
femmes  nues  commc  la  main;  on  les  mena  au 
village  destruit,  oCl  on  retourna;  elles  firent 
entendre  que  c'estoit  les  Oiiiria  et  Chigi- 
lousa  qui  avoient  destruit  ce  village.  Elles 
dirent  qu'il  n'y  avoit  point  de  village  oCi  on 
les  avoit  prises.  On  partit  le  mesme  jour, 
et  avec  ces  quatre  femmes  on  alia  camper 
oCi  on  avoit  trouv6  en  descendant  ces  Sau- 
vages  qui  tirdrent  des  fldches,  mais  de  I'autre 
bord  de  la  rividre.  Quelque  temps  aprds  il 
vint  de  ces  Sauvages  a  la  port6e  de  la  fldche, 
tesmoignant  qu'ils  vouloient  la  guerre. 

M.  de  La  Salle  alia  a  eux  dans  un  canot 
avec  un  calumet  de  paix.  Mais  ils  n'en- 
tendoient  point  cela.  On  mit  ^  terre,  de 
leur  cost6,  deux  de  ces  quatre  femmes,  et 
on  leur  donna  deux  haches  et  deux  cou- 
teaux  pour  porter  k  ces  Sauvages;  aiors  ils 
envoydrent  deux  ostages. 

M.  de  La  Salle  leur  en  envoya  aussi  deux. 
On  alia  cabaner  de  leur  cost6,  et  ils  envoy- 
drent  un  peu  de  bled  d'Inde,  mais  par  leurs 
guerriers.  Les  deux  Fran9ois  ostages  revin- 
rent  le  soir  et  dirent  que  ces  Sauvages 
avoient  ferm^  toutes  leurs  cabanes,  danse, 
pris  le  calumet,  puis  leurs  bonnets  et  che- 
mises, 


LE. 

tous   les 
tre  pour 
L    quatre 
mena  au 
les  firent 
t  Chigi- 
;.     Elles 
ge  oCi  on 
me  jour, 
L  camper 
ces  Sau- 
ie  I'autre 
)S  aprds  il 
la  fldche, 
;rre. 

un  canot 

ils  n'en- 

terre,  de 

mmes,  et 

leux  cou- 

aiors  ils 

ussi  deux, 
s  envoy- 
par  leurs 

yes  revin- 
Sauvages 
s,  danse, 
s  et  che- 
mises, 


Narrative  of  Nicolas  de  La  Salle.  49 


to  fight  in  order  to  obtain  food.  We  found 
there  four  women  naked  as  your  hand;  we 
returned  with  them  to  the  ruined  village; 
they  made  us  understand  that  it  was  the 
Oumas  and  the  Chigilousas  who  had  de- 
stroyed this  village.  They  said  that  there 
was  no  village  where  they  had  been  cap- 
tured. The  same  day  we  departed,  and, 
with  these  four  women,  we  landed  opposite 
the  spot  where  we  had  met,  as  we  de- 
scended, the  Savages  who  discharged  the 
arrows.  A  short  time  after,  some  of  these 
Savager  came  within  bow-shot,  indicating 
that  t'ley  desired  war. 

M.  de  La  Salle  went  to  them  in  a  canoe 
with  a  calumet  of  peace.  But  they  did 
not  understand  that.  We  put  ashore  on 
their  side  two  of  the  four  women,  giving 
them  two  axes  and  two  knives  to  carry  to 
these  Savages;  then  they  sent  two  host- 
ages, 

M.  de  La  Salle  also  sent  them  two. 
We  went  to  encamp  on  their  side,  and  they 
sent  a  little  Indian  corn,  but  by  their  war- 
riors. The  two  French  hostages  ref  ned 
at  evening,  and  said  that  the  Savages  had 
shut  up  all  their  lodges,  danced,  taken 
the  calumet,  then  their  caps  and  shirts, 
—  for  they  gave  each  one  the  scalp  of  a 
man  and  a  dress  made  of  cords  and  of  the 
down  of  the   turkey. — They   drank  of  a 

beverage 


April, 
1682. 

Four 

women  with 
nothing  to 
wear. 


The  Sluin- 
ipisias  do 
not  under- 
stand the 
calumet. 


The  war- 
dance. 


V 


so 


Recti  de  Nicolas  de  La  Salle. 


i 


Avril,  mises,  pourquoy  ils  donndrent  chacun  une 
1682.  chevelure  d'homme  et  une  robe  faite  de 
^^'^  cordes  et  de  duvet  de  poules  d'Inde. — lis 
beurent  d'un  breuvage  qui  est  une  espdce 
de  th6. — Ces  Sauvages  se  nomment  les 
Quenipisa  ou  Cenepisa.  Ils  ont  beaucoup 
de  peaux  de  chevreuil.  On  renvoya  les 
deux  autres  femmes  chez  elles.  La  nuit, 
ces  Sauvages,  environ  trois  cents,  attaqud- 
rent  les  Fran9ois  par  terre  et  avec  neuf 
canots.  Ils  tirdrent  toute  la  nuit  des  fleches. 
Les  Franfois  y  respondirent  a  coups  de 
fusil,  ce  qui  les  empeschoit  d'approcher. 
Le  jour  venu,  ils  s'enfuirent  tous,  laissant 
leurs  peaux  et  canots  dans  les  bois,  sur  un 
petit  ruisseau.  On  trouva  deux  Sauvages 
tuez.  Les  Fran9ois  leur  enlevdrent  la  cheve- 
lure et  plant^rent  les  testes  sur  des  pieux  en 
cet  endroit.  Les  Loups  vouloient  manger 
ces  corps;  mais  ils  prirent  seulement  les 
coeurs  qu'ils  firent  s^cher  pour  montrer  en 
leur  pays  qu'ils  avoient  tu6  des  hommes,  et, 
selon  leur  coustume  quand  ils  ont  remporte 
une  victoire,  ils  tuerent  leurs  chiens  et  en 
firent  festin.  On  partit  de  1^  sur  les  huit 
heures  du  matin;  on  fit  cinq  lieues,  et,  ne 
pouvant  cabaner  a  terre,  le  pays  estant 
inonde,  on  coucha  dans  les  canots.  Aprds 
six  jours  de  navigation,  pendant  lesquels  on 
ne  mangeoit  que  des  peaux  de  boeuf,  faute 

de 


LLE. 

acun  une 

faite   de 

nde. — lis 

ne  espdce 

ment   les 

beaucoup 

nvoya  les 

La  nuit, 

attaqud- 

Lvec  neuf 

2s  fleches. 

coups  de 

pprocher. 

s,  laissant 

is,  sur  un 

Sauvages 

la  cheve- 

pieux  en 

t  manger 

ment   les 

antrer  en 

mmes,  et, 

remporte 

ns  et  en 

les  huit 

es,  et,  ne 

ys  estant 

Aprds 

squels  on 

uf,  faute 

de 


Narrative  of  Nicolas  de  La  Salle.  51 

beverage  which  is  a  kind  of  tea. — These     April, 
Savages  are  called  the  Quenipisa  or  Cene-     ^^^^' 
pisa.     They   have  much   buckskin.     We  ^^»^ 
sent  to  them  the  two  other  women.     That 
night  these  Savages,  to  the  number  of  three 
hundred,  attacked  the  French  by  land  ?nd  y^^  „{  y^ 
with  nine  canoes.     They  shot  arrows  all  attack. 
night  long.    The  French  replied  with  gun- 
shots, which  prevented  them  from  coming 
near.     Daylight  being  come,  they  all  took 
flight,  leaving  their  skins  and  boats  in  a  little 
stream  in  the  woods.     We  found  two  Sav- 
ages killed.      The   French   scalped   them 
and  set  their  heads  upon  stakes  at  this  place. 
The  Wolf  Indians  desired  to  eat  the  bodies; 
but  they  took  only  the  hearts,  which  they 
dried,  in  order  to  show  in  their  country 
that  they  had  killed  men,  and,  according 
to  their  custom  when  they  have  gained  a 
victory,  they  killed  their  dogs  and  made  a 
feast  upon  them.     We  started  thence   at 
about  eight  o'clock  in  the  morning;   we 
made   five  leagues,   and,   being  unable  to 
camp  upon  land,  the  country  being  flooded, 
we  slept  in  the  boats.      After  six  days  of  subsisting 
travel,  during  which  we  ate  nothing   but  fir  six 
oxhides,   for  want    of  victuals,   we    came  ^^y^^P"" 
to   the  blufl^s  and  encamped  at  the  Aux 
Risques  river.     We  expected  to  have  good 
fishing  there,  but    caught  nothing.      The 
Wolf  Indians  killed  two  bears,  three  bucks, 

and 


■•B.     ~    — _.. 


^^P" 


11  i 


•l-n 


.  f"'. 


l^f": 


(  ■ 


52 

Mai, 
1682. 


!^    f 


jRff/V  ^/(?  Nicolas  de  La  Salle. 

de  vivres,  on  rencontra  des  costeaux  et  on 
cabana  ^  la  rividre  aux  Risques.  On  croyoit 
faire  bonne  pesche;  mais  on  ne  prit  rien. 
Les  Loups  tudrent  deux  ours,  trois  che- 
vreuils  et  deux  poules  d'Inde.  On  resta  la 
deux  jours. 

Le  troisiesme  on  partit.  Aprds  avoir 
fait  cinq  lieues,  on  tua  un  cocodrille,  que 
Ton  mangea  de  bon  appetit,  quoyque  la 
chair  de  cet  animal  sente  le  muse. 

Aprds  cinq  jours  de  navigation,  on  trouva 
la  grande  rividre  qui  vient  de  I'ouest;  on  la 
nomma  le  fleuve  Seignelay.  On  cabana  a 
droite,  au-dessous  de  I'embouchure  de  cette 
riviere.  On  tua  deux  caimans.  Les  meures 
commen9oient  a  estre  bonnes.  Aprds  sept 
jours  de  navigation,  on  arriva  aux  Koroa; 
on  cabana  et  on  nettoya  ses  armes,  crainte 
d'en  avoir  besoin.  Les  Fran9ois  estoient 
tres-foibles.  Le  lendemain,  entre  sept  et 
huit  heures,  on  arriva  au  pied  de  leurs  cos- 
teaux, oCi  il  y  a  un  grand  chemin  battu. 
Le  chef  de  la  nation  estoit  sur  le  bord  de 
I'eau  avec  trois  de  ses  hommes.  II  fit  mille 
caresses  a  M.  de  La  Salle.  Pendant  quel- 
que  temps  on  refusa  la  farine  qu'ils  pr^sen- 
toient  pour  leur  faire  croire  qu'on  n'en 
avoit  pas  besoin;  mais  la  faim  obligea  a  en 
prendre.     lis  avoient  prepare  un  festi*^  dans 

la 


X  et  on 
I  croyoit 
rit  rien. 
ois  che- 
resta  la 

&s  avoir 
ille,  que 
lyque   la 

in  trouva 
St;  on  la 
cabana  ^ 
de  cette 
!S  meures 
pres  sept 
:  Koroa; 
s,  crainte 
estoient 
sept  et 
eurs  cos- 
in  battu. 
:  bord  de 
fit  mille 
mt  quel- 
s  pr6sen- 
on    n'en 
igea  a  en 
;sti-"  dans 
la 


Narrative  of  Nicolas  de  La  Salle. 

and  two  turkeys.  We  remained  there  two 
days. 

The  third  day  we  set  out.  After  making 
five  leagues  we  killed  an  alligator,  which 
we  ate  with  good  appetite,  although  the 
flesh  of  this  animal  has  a  musky  flavor. 

After  five  days*  travel  we  reached  the 
great  river  coming  from  the  West;  we 
called  it  the  Seignelay.  We  encamped  on 
the  right,  below  the  mouth  of  this  river. 
We  killed  two  caymans.  The  mulberries 
were  beginning  to  be  good.  After  seven 
days'  travel,  we  reached  the  Coroas;  we 
encamped  and  cleaned  our  arms,  for  fear 
of  needing  them.  The  Frenchmen  were 
very  weak.  The  next  day,  between  seven 
and  eight  o'clock,  we  reached  the  part  of 
their  bluffs  where  there  is  a  great  beaten 
road.  The  chief  of  the  nation  was  at  the 
water's  edge,  with  three  of  his  men.  He 
gave  M.  de  La  Salle  a  thousand  caresses. 
For  some  time  we  refused  the  flour  which 
they  offered,  in  order  to  make  them  think 
we  had  no  need  of  it ;  but  hunger  compelled 
us  to  accept  it.  They  had  prepared  a  feast 
in  the  public  place  of  their  village;  it  is 
square,  and  as  large  as  the  place  in  front  of 
the  Palais  Royal  at  Paris.  At  their  instance 
we  went  and  seated  ourselves  upon  mats. 
This  place  is  smooth  and  level;  they  hold 
here  all  their  games  and  dances.     They  set 

before 


53 

May, 
1682. 


The 

Seignelay 

River. 


The 
Coroas. 


Their  pre- 
tended 
hospitality. 


«tp 


% 


54 

Mai, 
1682. 


m 

Kb 

In  1< 

11   1/' 

11    ' 

If 

Recti  de  Nicolas  de  La  Salle. 

la  place  de  leur  village;  elle  est  quarr6e  et 
grande  comme  la  place  de  devant  le  Palais- 
Royal,  \  Paris.  A  leurs  instances  on  y 
alia;  on  s'assit  sur  des  nattes.  Cette  place 
est  unie  et  plate;  ils  y  font  tous  leurs  jeux 
et  danses.  lis  pr^sentdrent  force  mahis  ac- 
commode  de  plusieurs  fa9ons.  Ils  ne  pa- 
roissoient  qu' environ  cinquante  ou  soixante 
hommes  et  six  ou  sept  femmes.  Aprds 
avoir  \  moiti^  mange,  on  se  vit  tout  a  coup 
entour€  d' environ  deux  mille  hommes  bar- 
bouillez  de  rouge  et  de  noir,  le  casse-t6te 
en  main  avec  Tare  et  les  fldches.  lis  pa- 
roissoient  avoir  mauvais  dessein.  lis  de- 
mandoient  ce  que  les  Fran9ois  avoient  veu 
dans  leur  voyage.  L'esclave  Coroa,  que  le 
Loup  avoit  achet6  aux  Taensa,  leur  dit  tout 
et  que  Ton  avoit  tue  des  Quinipisa,  leurs 
alliez ;  on  leur  en  donna  les  chevelures.  lis 
creurent  que  les  Fran9ois  estoient  immor- 
tels.  M.  de  Tonty  dit  qu'il  falloit  se  re- 
tirer;  mais  M.  de  La  Salle  vouloit  coucher 
Ik.  On  mangeoit  le  fusil  et  la  hache  prds  de 
soy. — Le  chef  conseilla  d'aller  chez  les 
Natche,  disant  que  cette  jeunesse  avoit 
mauvais  dessein.  Les  Coroa  ont  tous  la 
teste  plate;  leurs  meres  la  leur  aplatissent 
aussitost  qu'ils  sont  nez.  On  prit  les  vivres 
que  Ton  avoit  laissez  Ik  en  descendant  et 
on  alia  aux  Natch6.    On  passa  par  un  petit 

ruisseau 


irr6e  et 
Palais- 
s  on  y 
te  place 
irs  jeux 
ahis  ac- 
ne pa- 
soixante 
Apr^s 
t  a  coup 
nes  bar- 
:asse-t6te 
lis  pa- 
lls   de- 
)ient  veu 
a,  que  le 
r  dit  tout 
isa,  leurs 
jres.     lis 
immor- 
)it  se  re- 
coucher 
le  prds  de 
chez  les 
sse    avoit 
tous  la 
platissent 
ies  vivres 
indant  et 
un  petit 
ruisseau 


Narrative  of  Nicolas  df  La  Salle. 

before  us  much  maize,  prepared  in  several 
manners.  There  appeared  only  some  fifty 
or  sixty  men  and  six  or  seven  women. 
After  having  half  eaten,  we  saw  ourselves 
suddenly  surrounded  by  some  two  thousand 
men  bedaubed  with  red  and  black,  armed 
with  bows  and  arrows,  and  tomahawks  in 
hand.  They  seemed  to  have  an  ill  design. 
They  inquired  v/hat  the  Frenchmen  had 
seen  upon  their  journey.  The  Coroa  slave 
whom  the  Wolf  had  bought  of  the  Taen- 
sas,  told  them  all, —  how  we  had  killed  two 
of  the  Quinipisas,  their  allies;  the  scalps 
were  given  th.m.  They  believed  the 
Frenchmen  to  be  immortal.  M.  de  Tonty 
said  that  we  must  retire;  but  M.  de  La 
Salle  wished  to  sleep  there.  We  ate  with 
gun  and  hatchet  at  hand. — The  chief  ad- 
vised us  to  go  on  to  the  Natchez,  saying 
that  these  young  warriors  had  an  ill  design. 
All  the  Coroas  have  flat  heads ;  their  mothers 
flatten  their  heads  as  soon  as  they  are  born. 
We  took  the  provisions  which  we  had  left 
there  as  we  descended,  and  went  on  to  the 
Natchez.  We  passed  through  a  small 
channel  made  by  the  river,  and  so  short- 
ened the  way  by  six  leagues.  We  en- 
camped opposite  the  Natchez,  on  the  other 
side  of  the  river.  We  saw  no  one;  we 
feared  lest  they  were  in  ambush.    We  made 

cries 


ss 

May, 
1682. 


Their 
treachery. 


La  Salle 
and  his 
men  saved 
by  the  ttvo 
^inipisa 
scalps. 


The 

Natchez 
passed  in 
safety. 


I 


fi 


56 


Juin, 
1682. 


Recit  de  Nicolas  de  La  Salle. 

ruisseau  que  la  rividre  fait,  ce  qui  abr^gea 
le  chemin  de  six  lieues.  On  cabana  vis-^- 
vis  les  Natch6,  de  I'autre  cost6  de  la  rivifere. 
On  ne  vit  personne;  on  craignit  qu'ils  ne 
fussent  en  embuscade.  On  fit  des  cris  de 
ces  Sauvages  que  Ton  auroit  tuez. 

Le  lendemain,  aprds  trois  lieues,  on  ren- 
contra  sur  la  rividre  un  Taensa  sur  un  mor- 
ceau  de  bois  sur  un  cajeu.  II  dit  que 
lorsque  les  Coroas  estoient  embarrassez  a 
tendre  des  embusches  aux  Fran9ois,  il  s'es- 
toit  sauve,  il  y  avoit  trois  jours,  et  que, 
croyant  estre  plus  haut  que  son  village,  il 
se  laissoit  deriver. 

Le  premier  jour  de  juin  1682,  on  arriva 
aux  Taensa;  M.  de  La  Salle  envoya  quatre 
Fran9ois,  dont  le  petit  La  Salle  estoit  un, 
ramener  ce  Taensa.  Estant  proche,  il 
chanta;  c'estoit  la  nuit,  deux  vieillards  vin- 
rent  avec  des  flambeaux  sur  le  bord  du  lac, 
pour  voir  ce  que  c'estoit.  lis  mendrent  les 
Fran9ois  \  la  cabane  du  chef.  Le  petit 
La  Salle  dit  que  ce  chef  estoit  au  coin  de 
la  cabane  sur  une  estrade,  sur  une  natte 
aussi  bien  travaill6e  que  ces  paniers  d'osier 
que  font  les  Religieuses  en  France;  qu'il 
avoit  veu  dans  cette  cabane  une  vieille  espee 
\  I'Espagnole  et  trois  vieux  fusils.  Le  chef 
fit  raconter  a.ux  Fran9ois  leur  voyage;    il 

tesmoigna 


E. 

abr^gea 

a  vis-2i- 

rivi^re. 

u'ils  ne 

cris  de 

on  ren- 
Lin  mor- 
dit  que 
rassez  a 
J,  il  s'es- 
et  que, 
illage,  il 

on  arriva 
^a  quatre 
jstoit  un, 
roche,    il 
ards  vin- 
d  du  lac, 
idrent  les 
Le  petit 
J  coin  de 
jne  natte 
;rs  d' osier 
ce;    qu'il 
lille  espee 
Le  chef 
Dyage ;    il 
tesmoigna 


Narrative  of  Nicolas  de  La  Salle.  57 


cries  like  those  Savages  whom  we  would 
have  killed.* 

The  next  day,  when  we  had  made 
three  leagues,  we  met  upon  the  river  a 
Taensa  floating  upon  a  piece  of  wood  called 
a  cajeu.  He  said  that  when  the  Coroas 
were  preoccupied  with  laying  an  ambush 
for  the  French,  three  days  before,  he  had 
escaped,  and  that,  thinking  himself  above 
his  village,  he  was  letting  himself  float 
down. 

The  first  day  of  June,  1682,  we  arrived 
among  the  Taensas;  M.  de  La  Salle  sent 
four  Frenchmen,  of  whom  the  little  La 
Salle  was  one,  to  conduct  this  Taensa  home. 
Having  come  near,  he  sang;  it  was  night, 
and  two  old  men  came  with  torches  to  the 
shore  of  the  lake  to  see  what  it  was.  They 
led  the  Frenchmen  to  the  chief's  lodge. 
Little  La  Salle  said  that  the  chief  was  on 
a  platform  in  a  corner  of  the  lodge,  seated 
upon  a  mat  as  well  wrought  as  those  willow 
paniers  made  by  the  nuns  in  France;  that 
he  had  seen  in  this  lodge  an  old  Spanish 
sword  and  three  old  muskets.  The  chief 
made  the  Frenchmen  describe  their  jour- 
ney, and  showed  pleasure  in  learning  that 

men 

*This  sentence  seems  to  mean:  "We  raised  the 
war-whoop  in  imitation  of  the  Indians  with  whom  we 
had  fought." — Tr. 


June, 
i68z. 


The  lone 
Taensa. 


Little  La 
Salle's 
description 
of  Taensa 
state  and 
decorum. 


I 


f 


■r 


I -if       ■.   f 


■I 


!  :■ 


58 

Juin, 
1682. 


Ricit  de  Nicolas  de  La  Salle. 

tesmoigna  de  la  joye  d'apprendre  qu'on 
avoit  tu6  des  hommes.  Tous  ceux  qui  en- 
troient  dans  la  cabane  saluoient  le  chef, 
levant  leurs  mains  par-dessus  leur  teste  et 
disant:  "Hou!  Hou!  Hou!"  Le  chef 
respondoit:  "Negoudez!  Negoudez!"  On 
fit  manger  les  Fran9ois  et  on  leur  donna 
des  nattes  pour  se  coucher.  Ces  gens  sont 
fort  s6rieux  et  fort  respectueux  envers  leur 
chef.  lis  portdrent  le  canot  des  Fran9ois 
dans  leur  temple  et  le  chef  fit  porter  des 
raffraischissements  aux  autres  Fran9ois.  M. 
de  La  Salle  envoya  le  lendemain  un  canot 
avec  cinq  Fran9ois  nous  qu6rir.  Nous  nous 
promenasmes  par  toutes  les  cabanes  du  vil- 
lage, et  c'estoit  ^  qui  nous  feroit  plus  de 
caresses  et  de  vivres  et  des  grandes  mannes 
pour  les  mettre,  c'estoit  du  mahis  et  des 
fruits.  Ce  village  a  une  lieue  de  long  le 
long  du  lac.  Le  temple,  la  cabane  et  sept 
ou  huit  cabanes  des  anciens  sont  entourez 
de  pieux  et  font  une  espdce  de  fort;  sur  les 
pieux,  il  y  a  des  testes  d' hommes  plant6es, 
le  temple  est  fait  en  d6me,  la  porte  pein- 
tur^e  de  rouge,  gard^e  jour  et  nuit  par  deux 
hommes.  Un  des  Fran9ois  y  entra  presque 
malgr6  les  gardes,  dont  un  le  suivit  et  ' 
suyoit  avec  ses  mains  la  terre  oCi  Ir  T 
9ois  avoit  mis  les  pieds  et  se  fr 
le  corps  avec  sa  main. 

Le 


e   qu'on 
qui  en- 
le  chef, 
teste  et 
Le  chef 
z!"  On 
r  donna 
jens  sont 
vers  leur 
Fran9ois 
DFter  des 
jois.    M. 
un  canot 
Tous  nous 
;s  du  vil- 
:  plus  de 
s  mannes 
is  et  des 
;  long  le 
le  et  sept 
entourez 
t;  sur  les 
plant6es, 
)rte  pein- 
par  deux 
a  presque 
vit  et  ^^ 

r 


Le 


Narrative  of  Nicolas  de  La  Salle.  59 

men  had  been  slain.     All  who  entered  the     June, 
cabin  saluted  the  chief,  raising  the  hands  ,J^^ 
above  the  head,  and  saying :     "Hoo!  Hoo! 
Hoo!"     The  chief  replied:     "Nay -goo- 
day  !    Nay-goo-day !  "      The    Frenchmen 
were  provided  with  food  and  with  mats  upon 
which  to  lie.    These  people  are  very  serious 
and  very  respectful  toward  their  chief.  They 
bore  the  Frenchmen's  canoe  into  their  tem- 
ple, and  the  chief  had  provisions  sent  to 
the  other  Frenchmen.     On   the  morrow 
M.  de  La  Salle  sent   a  canoe  with   five 
Frenchmen  to  seek  us.     We  visited  all  the 
lodges  of  the  village,  and  all  the  people  The  lake 
vied  in  caressing  us,  and  in  giving  us  pro-  village. 
visions  of  maize  and  fruits  and  great  ham- 
pers to  contain  them.    This  village  lies  for 
a  league  along  the  lake.     The  temple,  the  7.^^ 
lodge,  and  seven   or  eight  lodges   of  the  Taensa 
elders,  are  surrounded  with  piles,  forming  "'"P^^- 
2l  kind  of  fort ;  on  the  stakes  are  set  human 
heads;    the  temple  is   dome-shaped;    the 
door  is  covered  with  paintings  in  red,  and 
guarded  day  and  night  by  two  men.     One 
of  the  Frenchmen  entered,  almost  in  spite 
of  the  guards,  one  of  whom  followed  him, 
wiping  with  his  hands  the  ground  where 
the  Frenchman  had  set  foot,  and  afterwards 
rubbing  his  own  body  with  his  hand. 

The  Frenchman  reported  that  this  temple 
is  oval,  thirty  feet  long,  twelve  feet  wide, 

inside 


i 


i  , 


m  I 


p 

i 

111 

dv 

M 

il 

60 


Recti  de  Nicolas  le  La  Salle. 


Juln, 

1682. 


Le  Fran9ois  dit  que  ce  temple  est  ovale, 
long  de  trente  pieds,  large  de  douze  en  dc- 
^^^^  dans,  orn6  d'ouvrages  faits  de  cannes  et  tout 
peint  de  rouge.  Le  d6me  est  convert  d'une 
fort  belle  natte  et  les  has,  de  terre.  Les 
bois  qui  font  le  faistage  sortent  dehors  par 
le  milieu  de  deux  pieds  en  croisant  les  uns 
sur  les  autres.  Toutes  les  nuits,  il  y  a  de- 
dans deux  flambeaux  allumez.  Nous  vismes 
que  les  femmes  pr6sentoient  leurs  enfans  au 
soleil  et  qu'elles  leur  frottoient  le  corps  avec 
leurs  mains,  qu'elles  avoient  montrees  aussi 
au  soleil. 

Nous  allasmes  dire  adieu  au  chef,  il  fit 
rendre  le  canot  et  donner  quantit6  de  vivres. 
II  vint  voir  M.  de  La  Salle  accompagne  de 
trente  canots,  luy  apporta  tant  de  vivres 
qu'il  en  fallut  jeter,  les  canots  estant  trop 
chargez.  Des  Sauvages  balaydrent  la  terre 
par  oCl  leur  chef  devoit  passer.  II  parla 
avec  M.  de  La  Salle  assis  sur  une  natte.  M. 
de  La  Salle  luy  donna  une  vieille  robe  de 
chambre  de  toile  peinte  et  un  petit  esclave 
Mosopolea,  qu'on  avoit  eu  des  Acansa;  le 
chef  luy  donna  sa  robe  ou  couverture,  fa9on 
de  CO  ton. 

Le  quatriesme  jour,  on  partit  et,  aprds 
trois  lieues,  on  fut  oblig6  de  jeter  des  vivres 
pour  all6ger  les  canots.    Le  lendemain,  M. 

de 


.E. 

t  ovale, 
;  en  de- 
5  et  tout 
rt  d'une 
5.  Les 
lors  par 
les  uns 
y  a  de- 
5  vismes 
ifans  au 
rps  avec 
:es  aussi 

if,  il  fit 
;  vivres. 
igne  de 
I  vivres 
nt  trop 
la  terre 
1  park 
te.  M. 
obe  de 
esclave 
nsa;  le 
,  fa9on 

aprds 

vivres 

in,  M. 

de 


Narrative  of  Nicolas  de  La  Salle.  6i 


inside  measurements,  decorated  with  cane- 
work,  and  painted  throughout  in  red.  The 
dome  is  covered  with  a  very  handsome  mat, 
'^nd  the  lower  parts  with  earth.  The  pieces 
forming  the  ribs  of  the  dome  are  crossed  in 
the  middle  at  the  top,  and  project  some  two 
^^  feet  above  the  dome.      Every  night  two 

torches  are  lighted  within.  We  noticed 
that  the  women  held  up  their  children  to 
the  sun,  and  that  they  held  their  hands  up 
to  the  sun  and  then  rubbed  the  bodies  of 
the  children. 

We  went  to  bid  adieu  to  the  chief,  who 
caused  the  canoe  to  be  returned  and  a 
quantity  of  provisions  to  be  given  us.  He 
paid  a  visit  to  M.  de  La  Salle,  accompanied 
by  thirty  canoes,  and  brought  such  a  quan- 
tity of  provisions  that  it  was  necessary  to 
throw  some  of  them  away,  the  canoes  being 
overladen.  Savages  swept  the  ground 
where  their  chief  was  to  pass.  He  talked 
with  M.  de  La  Salle  seated  upon  a  mat. 
M.  de  La  Salle  gave  him  an  old  dressing- 
gown  of  printed  calico  and  a  little  Moso- 
po!ea  slave  whom  he  had  got  from  the 
Akansas;  the  chief  gave  him  his  robe  or 
coverlet  of  cotton  fabric. 

On  the  fourth  day  we  departed,  and, 
after  making  three  leagues,  were  compelled 
to  throw  some  provisions  overboard  in  order 
to  lighten  the  canoes.    The  next  day  M.  de 

La  Salle, 


June, 
1682. 


A  visit  of 
state. 


Compelled 
to  jettison 
provisions. 


\  >i 


w'Wfc  I  IP  <i.j»i>Wi  on* 


K( 


III  u 

IT  i  H 


ill, 


Li 


■l^ 


)   • 


I 


62 

Juin, 
1682. 


i?^«/  </<?  Nicolas  de  La  Salle. 

de  La  Salle,  luy  sixiesme,  avec  le  meilleur 
canot,  prit  le  devant. 

Les  autres  Fran9ois,  aprds  six  jours  de 
navigation,  rencontrdrent  un  Akansa  et  un 
Taensa  qui  revenoient  de  guerre.  L' Akan- 
sa s'embarqua  avec  eux,  et,  la  rividre  inon- 
dant  les  terres,  il  enseigna  un  chemin  qui 
abr^gea  la  route  de  vingt  lieues  qu'il  eust 
fallu  faire,  si  on  eust  suivi  les  tours  de  la  ri- 
vidre.  M.  de  La  Salle,  qui  avoit  est6  par 
le  chemin  ordinaire,  arriva  aprds  les  autres 
et  cabana  avec  eux.  Le  lendemain,  il  prit 
encore  le  devant.  Les  autres,  aprds  six 
jours,  arriverent  au  premier  village  des 
Akansa.  M.  de  La  Salle  en  estoit  parti  le 
jour  pr6c6dent;  on  y  resta  un  jour.  Les 
Akansa  firent  festin  de  chien  aux  Fran9ois, 
disant  qu'ils  estoient  de  vrays  guerriers 
d'avoir  este  si  loin  sans  estre  tuez. 

Le  deuxiesme  jour,  on  alia  au  village  du 
milieu,  sur  la  rive  droite  en  montant;  on 
fit  grand  festin  d'ours  et  de  boeuf,  et  on 
receut  mille  amitiez. 

Le  lendemain,  on  arriva  ^  Tautre  village 
des  Akansa;  on  fit  grand  festin  de  chien, 
et  ayant  pris  le  bagage  qu'on  avoit  laisse  en 
descendant,  et  deux  des  quatre  Loups  qui  y 
estoient  demeurez,  les  deux  autres  demeu- 
rdrent  la,  ne  voulant  point  partir  de  ce  pays 
qu'ils  n'eussent  tu6  des  hommes. 

Aprds 


■\  I 


Narrative  of  Nicolas  de  La  Salle. 


63 


leilleur 

>urs  de 
\  et  un 
'Akan- 
5  inon- 
lin  qui 
'il  eust 
e  la  ri- 
;st6  par 
s  autres 
,  il  prit 
rds  six 
ge  des 
parti  le 
r.  Les 
ran9ois, 
uerriers 

lage  du 

int;  on 

et  on 

village 
chien, 
aiss6  en 
>s  qui  y 
demeu- 
ce  pays 

Aprds 


June, 
1682. 


La  Salle,  with  the  best  canoe  and  five  men, 
went  on  in  advance. 

The  other   Frenchmen,  after  six  days' 
travel,  met  an  Akansa  and  a  Taensa  who 
were  returning  from   war.      The  Akansa 
embarked  with  them   and,  the  land  being 
overflowed,  showed  them  a  course  shorter  j^ygrt 
by   twenty  leagues  than  that  which  they  cut. 
would  have  been  obliged  to  take  had  they 
followed  the  windings  of  the  river.     M.  de 
La  Salle,  who  had  taken  the  ordinary  route, 
arrived  after  the  rest  and  encamped  with 
them.     The  next  day  he  again  went  on  in 
advance.     The  others  arrived  in  six  days  at 
the  first  Akansa  village.     M.  de  La  Salle 
had  gone  on  the  day  before ;  they  remained 
one  day.     The  Akansas  made  a  dog-feast  yr^^ 
in  honor  of  the  French,  saying  that  they  Akamas 
were  true  warriors  for  having  been  so  far  "^^^y^"^' 
without  being  killed. 

On  the  second  day,  we  went  to  the 
middle  village  on  the  right  bank,  going 
up;  they  set  up  a  great  feast  of  bear  and 
beef,  and  showed  us  a  thousand  tokens  of 
friendship. 

On  the  morrow  we  reached  the  third 
Akansa  village,  where  we  partook  of  an- 
other great  dog-feast.  Here  we  took  the 
baggage,  which  we  had  left  there  on  the 
way  down  the  river,  and  two  of  the  four 
Wolf  Indians  who  had  remained  there,  the 

other 


n 


64 


M\ 


I 


Juillet, 
1682. 


Recti  de  Nicolas  de  La  Salle. 

Aprds  cinq  jours  de  navigation,  on  trouva 
sur  une  pointe  de  sable,  au  bout  d'un  baston, 
un  billet  qui  marquoit  que  M.  de  La  Salle 
estoit  malade. 

Au  bout  de  deux  jours,  on  le  trouva  en- 
core fort  mal.  II  avoit  pens6  mourir.  II 
envoya  M.  de  Tonty  devant,  luy  sixiesme, 
aux  Miamis,  chercher  des  marchandises 
qu'il  avoit  cach6es  dans  le  sable.  Sept  ou 
huit  jours  aprds,  M.  de  La  Salle  partit  avec 
les  autres  Fran9ois.  Aprds  cinq  lieues,  on 
cabana  ^  la  droite;  on  y  demeura  deux 
jours. 

Apres  quinze  jours  de  marche,  on  arriva 
aux  Tamaroa ;  on  y  coucha.  lis  voulurent 
danser  le  calumet,  M .  de  La  Salle  alia  au 
village,  on  luy  pr^senta  une  natte  pour 
s'asseoir,  on  luy  donna  deux  esclaves  Panis, 
une  femme  et  un  jeune  gar9on;  il  leur 
donna  deux  fusils. 

Au  bout  de  deux  jours,  on  irriva  ^  la  ri- 
vidre  des  Illinois;  on  la  remonta;  on  y 
trouva  quantity  d'outardes,  cygnes  et  ca- 
nards qui  muoient,  on  les  tuoit  ^  coups  de 
baston.  On  tua  ^  coups  de  fusil  quantite 
de  boeufs  et  de  chevreuils  et  poules  d'Inde, 
II  y  avoit  quinze  jours  qu'on  estoit  parti  de 
Tamaroa  quand  on  arriva  au  fort  de  Creve- 
CcBur,  sur  u;;  petit  lac  nomme  Pimiteoui; 

on 


— .  .i:-.w' 


,E. 

I  trouva 
baston, 
^a  Salle 

uva  en- 
rir.  II 
xiesme, 
landises 
Sept  ou 
tit  avec 
;ues,  on 
a  deux 

n  arriva 
)ulurent 

alia  au 
te  pour 
s  Panis, 

il   leur 

a  la  ri- 
;  on  y 
;  et  ca- 
oups  de 
[juantite 
d'Inde. 
parti  de 
;  Creve- 
niteoui ; 
on 


Narrative  of  Nicolas  de  La  Salle.  65 

other  two  not  wishing  to  leave  this  country     July. 
without  having  killed  men.  »682. 

After  voyaging  five  days  we  found  upon  ^'^'^^^'^ 
a  sandspit  a  note  attached  to  the  end  of  a 
stick,  informing  us  that  M.  de  La  Salle  ,   «  /,. 
was  ill.  tlf 

In  two  days  more  we  found  him,  still  '"''"^' 
very  ill.  He  had  been  near  dying.  He 
sent  M.  de  Tonty  on  before  with  five  men 
to  the  river  of  the  Miamis  to  look  for 
goods  which  he  had  hidden  in  the  sand. 
Seven  or  eight  days  later,  M.  de  La  Salle 
set  out  with  the  other  Frenchmen.  After 
niaking  five  leagues  we  encamped  on  the 
right,  and  remained  there  two  days. 

After  voyaging  a  fortnight  we  reached 
the  Tamaroa  village,  where  we  encamped. 
They  wished  to  dance  the  calumet ;  M.  de 
La  Salle  went  to  the  village,  where  they 
seated  him  upon  a  mat,  and  presented  him 
with  two  Panis  slaves,  a  woman  and  a 
youth;  he  gave  them  two  guns. 

In  two  days  we  reached  the  river  of  the 
Illinois;  as  we  ascended  it  we  found  mul- 
titudes of  bustards,  swans,  and  ducks, 
which  were  moulting,  and  killed  them  with 
sticks.  We  shot  a  number  of  cattle,  deer, 
and  turkeys.  A  fortnight  after  leaving  the 
Tamaroa  village,  we  reached  Fort  Creve- 
CoBur,  situated  upon  a  small  lake  named 

Pimiteoui ; 


.i,;^«w.«i~ 


&   ■ 


m 


m 


66 

Juillet, 
1682. 


Rea't  de  Nicolas  de  La  Salle. 

on  trouva  tout  destruit  et  la  barque  brus- 
l<§e. 

On  alia  au  village  des  Illinois,  il  n'y 
avoit  personne;  c'estoit  le  15  Juillet  1682. 

M.  de  La  Salle,  ay  ant  laiss6  au  fort  de 
Crdve-Coeur  huit  Fran9ois',  alia  par  terre 
au  lac  des  Illinois.  De  la,  en  canot  aux 
Miamis ;  de  la,  k  Michilimakinak,  il  y  a  cent 
vingt  lieues  par  terre.  II  renvoya  M.  de 
Tonty  avec  neuf  Fran9ois  ^  Crdve-Coeur, 
joindre  les  autres.  M.  de  La  Salle  y  arriva 
aussi  au  bout  de  quelque  temps,  fit  decamper 
les  Fran9ois  et  les  mena  vis-a-vis  I'endroit 
oCi  estoit  le  village  des  Illinois.  On  y  tua 
quantity  de  boeufs  et  de  cerfs  que  Ton  fit 
boucaner  pour  I'hyver.  II  fit  faire  un  fort 
de  bois  sur  un  rocher  sur  le  bord  de  la  ri- 
vidre  des  Illinois,  vis-a-vis  de  leur  village; 
de  I'autre  coste  de  la  rividre,  il  fit  semer  du 
mahis.  Les  Illinois  qui  avoient  este  battus 
par  les  Iroquois  revinrent.  M.  de  La  Salle 
fit  faire  alliance  aux  Illinois  avec  les  Mia- 
mis, les  Chaouanons  et  les  Mascoutins,  pour 
se  secourir  les  uns  les  autres  centre  les  Iro- 
quois. Apres  cela,  M.  de  La  Salle  partit 
pour  Quebec  et  France,  oCi  il  mena  le  petit 

M. 


» Du  fort  de  Creve-Coeur  aux  Miamis,  par  terre, 
100  lieues ;  des  Maskoutins  a  Creve-Coeur,  150  lieues  ; 
de  Michilimakinak  aux  Illinois,  120  lieues. 


hi  i. 


■■ 


LE. 

[ue  brus- 

!s,  il  n'y 
et  1682. 
I  fort  de 
par  terrc 
anot  aux 
1  y  a  cent 
a  M.  de 
/e-Coeur, 
i  y  arriva 
iecamper 
Tendroit 
On  y  tua 
e  Ton  fit 
e  un  fort 
de  la  ri- 
r  village; 
semer  du 
ste  battus 
!  La  Salle 
les  Mia- 
itins,  pour 
e  les  Iro- 
ille  partit 
la  le  petit 
M. 


,  par  terre, 
1 50  lieues } 


Narrative  of  Nicolas  de  La  Salle.  67 


Pimiteoui;  we  found  that  everything  had 
been  destroyed  and  the  bark  burned. 

We  went  to  the  Illinois  village, — no  one 
was  there;  it  was  the  15th  of  July,  1682. 

Leaving  at  Fort  Creve-Coeur  eight 
Frenchmen,  M.  de  La  Salle  went  by  land 
to  the  lake  of  the  Illinois.*  Thence  in  a 
canoe  to  the  Miami  river;  thence  by  land 
to  Michilimakinak  it  is  one  hundred  and 
twenty  leagues.  He  sent  back  M.  de 
Tonty  with  nine  Frenchmen  to  join  the 
others  at  CrSve-Coeur.  After  some  time 
M.  de  La  Salle  also  returned,  made  the 
Frenchmen  break  camp,  and  led  them 
opposite  the  spot  where  the  Illinois  village 
was.  We  killed  a  quantity  of  cattle  and 
deer,  which  were  smoke-dried  for  the 
winter.  He  caused  a  wooden  fort  to  be 
built  upon  a  rock  on  the  bank  of  the  Illi- 
nois river  opposite  the  village ;  on  the  other 
side  of  the  river  he  caused  maize  to  be 
sowed.  The  Illinois,  who  had  been  beaten 
by  the  Iroquois,  returned.  M.  de  La  Salle 
caused  the  Illinois  to  make  an  alliance  with 
the  Miamis,  the  Shawanoes,  and  the  Mas- 
coutins,  for  defence  against  the  Iroquois. 

After 

*From  Fort  Creve-Coeur  to  the  Miami  River,  by 
land,  100  leagues;  from  the  Maskoutin  village  to 
Creve-Coeur,  150  leagues;  from  Michilimakinak  to 
the  Illinois  village,  120  leagues. 


July. 
1682. 


Rough 
estimates 
of  distances. 


A  fort 
built  upon 
a  rock. 


The 

gathering 
of  the 
tribes. 


■WW" 


»9I^ 


68 


Recit  de  Nicolas  de  La  Salle. 


Novembre,  M.  dc  La  Salle.     lis  arrivdrent  k  Quebec 
1682.     |g  j^  Novembre  1682',  et  k  La  Rochelle 
^^^^  le  17  Janvier  1683*. 

ill  faut  lire,  sans  aucun  doute,  1683  et  1684.  Le 
memoire  adresse  au  Roi  vers  1720  par  I'abbe  Jean 
Cavelier,  dit  que  son  frere  arrivait  a  Versailles  au  mois 
de  Decembre  1683.  1^  ^^^  certain  que  M.  de  La 
Barre,  gouverneur  de  la  Nouvelle-France,  ne  I'avait 
pas  encore  vu  le  4  Novembre  de  cette  derniere  annee, 
date  a  laquelle  il  ecrivait  tres-fortement  et  avec  beau- 
coup  de  malveillance  contre  le  decouvreur. 


)  ■> 


.E. 


Quebec 
.ochelle 


384.  Le 
bbe  Jean 
s  au  mois 
[.  de  La 
le  I'avait 
re  annee, 
'ec  beau- 


Narrative  of  Nicolas  de  La  Salle.         69 

After   this,  M.  de  La  Salle  departed  for  November. 
Quebec  and  France,  taking  with  him  the     '68*- 
little  M.  de  La  Salle.    They  reached  Quebec  ^^^^^^ 
on  the  13th  of  November,  1682,*  and  La  , 
Rochelle  the  1 7th  of  January,  1683.*  ^"r"'' 

*  We  must  certainly  read  1683  and  1684.  The 
Memorial  addressed  to  the  King  about  1720  by  the 
Abbe  Jean  Cavelier,  says  that  his  brother  arrived  at 
Versailles  in  the  month  of  December,  1683.  It  is 
certain  that  M.  de  La  Barre,  Governor  of  New  France 
had  not  yet  seen  him  on  the  4th  of  November  of  this' 
last  year,  at  which  date  he  was  writing  violently  and 
with  great  malevolence  against  the  discoverer. 


i 


i 


V  t 


PRINTED  FOR  THE  CAXTON  CLUB  BV 
R.  R.  DONNELLEY  AND  SONS  COMPANY 
AT    THE     LAKESIDE     PRESS     CHICAGO 


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